HELIOS optimizes PV + BESS project designs automatically using PVRADAR

Design optimization for PV in the Nordics

Helios Nordic Energy develops utility-scale solar farms across the Nordic region. To ensure each project reaches its full potential, the Helios team performs detailed techno-economic modeling to understand how design choices affect both performance and financial returns.

The team runs batch simulations across internal tools, yield software, and financial models to identify the optimal design parameters that maximize economic return, such as DC capacity and tilt angles. This approach ensures most profitable projects, but it also requires a significant amount of manual work. Switching between different tools can make the process time-consuming, prone to errors and less flexible, particularly when designs change or multiple projects need to be assessed.

Full techno-economic optimization in one click

PVRADAR developed an automated design optimization script powered by the PVRADAR software development kit (SDK). The script offers a flexible modeling setup where design parameters and constraints can be easily defined and adjusted. For each parameter, users can perform a sweep across a custom-defined range, optimizing the design based on three key economic metrics: Net Present Value (NPV), Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR).

The Design Optimization Script based on the PVRADAR SDK allows Helios to optimize the design parameters according to different economic metrics, in this case LCOE, NPV and IRR.

The solution enables Helios to fully control every aspect of the optimization

In particular, it allows Helios to:

• Import the required data for energy yield estimation, such as irradiance, from both public and third-party sources
• Automatically retrieve historical electricity prices
• Evaluate optimal use and size of added battery storage (BESS)
• Account for local effects, such as snow
• Run the entire script fully locally, ensuring data privacy and full control

IRR calculation flowchart. The PVRADAR SDK enables custom model chains, with employed models shown in green and the corresponding input parameters indicated.

Build your own model chains: transparent, flexible and private

PVRADAR’s solution allows users to quantify the impact of every design change on performance and project financials with high speed and reliability:

• Single-script workflow: All steps run from one consolidated Python script, removing multi-tool processes and avoiding transcription errors.
• Time savings: Large simulation batches execute automatically, enabling rapid scenario exploration and quicker optimization cycles.
• Flexible modeling: With the PVRADAR Python SDK, users can customize the model chain, select data from multiple sources, and modify economic target metrics.
• Fully replicable: The same script can be reused for design updates or new projects, ensuring consistency in methodology and results across all assessments.

Interested? Contact us.

Let’s discuss how the PVRADAR Python SDK helps you build accurate digital twins of your projects.

You focus on the decisions that matter, we handle the rest.

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