How Do I Use Skelion in Sketchup?

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How Do I Use Skelion in SketchUp?

SketchUp is a powerful tool for creating 3D models, and Skelion is a plugin that takes it to the next level by adding solar panel design and analysis capabilities. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps of installing and using Skelion in SketchUp.

Step 1: Installation

To begin, you need to download and install Skelion. Here’s how:

  • Step 1.1: Open SketchUp and go to the “Extensions” menu.
  • Step 1.2: Click on “Extension Warehouse” to open the SketchUp Extension Warehouse.3: Search for “Skelion” in the search bar.4: Once you find Skelion, click on “Install” to begin the installation process.

Step 2: Activation

After installing Skelion, you need to activate it by following these steps:

  • Step 2.1: Restart SketchUp if prompted.
  • Step 2.2: Go to the “Extensions” menu again.3: Click on “Skelion” to open the Skelion toolbar.

Create a Solar Panel Design

You are now ready to create a solar panel design using Skelion. Here’s how:

Step 3: Set Up Your Project

Before you start designing, you need to set up your project:

  • Step 3.1: Click on the “Project” button in the Skelion toolbar.
  • Step 3.2: Enter the project details such as location, orientation, and tilt angle.

Step 4: Add Solar Panels

To add solar panels to your design, follow these steps:

  • Step 4.1: Click on the “Add Solar Panels” button in the Skelion toolbar.
  • Step 4.2: Select the desired solar panel type from the available options.3: Place the solar panels on your model by clicking on the desired locations.

Analyze Your Design

Skelion allows you to analyze your solar panel design for energy production and shading. Here’s how:

Step 5: Energy Production Analysis

To analyze energy production, follow these steps:

  • Step 5.1: Click on the “Energy” button in the Skelion toolbar.
  • Step 5.2: Enter information about your energy consumption and electricity cost.3: Skelion will calculate and display estimated energy production for your design.

Step 6: Shading Analysis

To analyze shading, follow these steps:

  • Step 6.1: Click on the “Shading” button in the Skelion toolbar.
  • Step 6.2: Adjust the time and date settings to simulate different shading conditions.3: Skelion will display shading analysis results, helping you optimize panel placement.

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to install and use Skelion in SketchUp. Now you can create solar panel designs with ease and analyze their energy production and shading.

Remember to save your project regularly to avoid losing any progress. Have fun exploring the possibilities of solar design with Skelion!