PVcase 2.13 for AutoCAD – The Premier AutoCAD-Based Solar PV Design and Shading Analysis Solution

PVcase is a specialized AutoCAD plugin developed for the precise design of photovoltaic (PV) solar units and advanced shading analysis . Unlike many solar tools that are limited to residential layouts, PVcase is purpose-built for the complex challenges of ground-mount utility-scale and C&I rooftop projects—including uneven terrain, thousands of piles, complex grading, and multi-megawatt electrical systems.

By working natively within the Autodesk AutoCAD environment (including Civil 3D), PVcase provides a familiar and robust platform for engineering teams . The software dramatically accelerates the workflow: tasks that might take a full week can be completed in as little as 80 minutes . This allows engineers to rapidly iterate through dozens of design scenarios in a single day to select the most optimized configuration.

The core philosophy of the software is to handle all the repetitive, mechanical tasks and calculations automatically . This agility ensures a 46% reduction in design time, translating to significant annual savings in engineering hours.

Primary Users

PVcase 2.13 is designed for solar engineers, EPCs (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) companies, solar developers, and civil engineering consultants who specialize in utility-scale solar projects and complex commercial & industrial (C&I) rooftop installations . It serves professionals who:

• Design utility-scale solar farms of 1MW and larger, including 100MW+ sites 

• Perform advanced shading analysis and slope analysis to optimize energy yield

• Generate detailed electrical designs with automated stringing and 3D cabling

• Produce accurate Bills of Materials (BOM) and construction documentation 

• Export 3D shading scenes to PVsyst and other engineering software for bankable energy assessments

Key Features & Capabilities

PVcase offers a comprehensive feature set that bridges 3D terrain modeling, electrical design, and construction documentation :

3D Terrain Modeling & Layout

• Terrain-Responsive Generation: Automatically generates optimized PV layouts tailored to specific terrains using digital elevation models and LiDAR data .

• Slope Analysis & Heatmaps: Analyzes terrain gradients to identify optimal areas for installation and plan for civil works .

• Shade-Free Table Placement: Intelligently places tables to ensure they are free from shading based on the site’s specific location and time .

Structural Analysis & Automation

• Piling and Collision Analysis: Identifies potential obstacles and calculates individual pile heights for thousands of mounting points based on actual ground contours .

• Automated Cross-Section Generation: Quickly produces cross-sections and pole coordinate extracts for ramming schedules, eliminating weeks of manual scheduling .

Electrical Design & Cabling

• Complete Customization: Fully customizable electrical design tools .

• Automated 3D Stringing: Automatic and semi-automatic 2D and 3D cabling based on topography, generating precise cable lengths .

• Electrical Device Placement: Automated placement of inverters, combiners, and other electrical equipment .

Interoperability & Output

• PVsyst Integration: One-click export of 3D shading scenes (including topography mesh, frames, and shading objects) to PVsyst for detailed energy yield simulations .

• Detailed Reporting: Automatic generation of Bills of Materials (BOM) and construction drawings .

What’s New in PVcase 2.13

While specific changelog details for Version 2.13 are not in the provided search results, the software continuously receives updates across its broader ecosystem.

Key updates available in recent versions include:

• Optimized Layouts: Improved fixed-tilt/east-west layouts with better 3D terrain-aware shading calculations and structural gap control .

• Enhanced Electrical Overview: More metrics, NEC-compliant voltage drop calculations, and improved DC cabling configuration .

• Capacity Iteration: The ability to run multiple design scenarios simultaneously to identify the optimal configuration faster (can accommodate up to 100 scenarios based on CPU power) .

System Requirements

PVcase 2.13 is an add-on that inherits the robust system requirements of AutoCAD. The software supports the following Autodesk products :