| What is the Module Support article about? | It explains the Module Support section of the HELIOS 3D Array Generator. This section defines support-related geometry and installation parameters such as support length, width, thickness, overhangs, array height reference, module inclination limits, maximum slope, tracker rotation distance, and distance reference on slopes. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Where is the Module Support topic located? | It is part of the vertical menu workflow under Overview of Commands > Vertical Menu > Array Generator > Module Support. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the main purpose of the Module Support section? | Its purpose is to define the geometric support body of the rack below the modules and the values that HELIOS 3D needs for array geometry, shadow calculation, row spacing, slope checks, tracker behavior, and placement validation. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What do Length and Width describe in Module Support? | Length and Width are calculated from the module arrangement, module gap distances, and the overhang values entered in the Module Support section. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
Can Length and Width be entered manually? | The article states that these values are calculated from module arrangement, gaps, and overhangs. It does not describe manual editing for Length and Width on this page. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if support length or width looks wrong? | Check the module arrangement, module gap distances, and overhang values, because these inputs determine the calculated support length and width. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What does Thickness define? | Thickness defines the height of the module support. It represents the height of all rack components such as girders and purlins, excluding the posts. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
Can Thickness always be edited? | No. The article states that Thickness can only be modified in edit mode. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if the Thickness field cannot be changed? | Check whether the array definition is in edit mode. The article states that the Thickness field can only be modified in edit mode. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
Does Thickness include the posts? | No. Thickness represents the height of the rack components such as girders and purlins, excluding the posts. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What settings apply only to single-axis and multi-row trackers? | For single-axis trackers, certain presets are applied to the array definition and the Rotation Distance option becomes active. The article also explains tracker-specific table body behavior and row-distance measurement. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What preset behavior applies to single-axis trackers? | For single-axis trackers, the array height is determined by the post height, and there is only one row of posts. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What happens to the table body for tracker arrays? | For trackers, the table body is always generated with no module tilt, meaning 0° inclination. Row distances are measured from table body to table body. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Why is tracker row distance measured differently? | Tracker row distance is based on the tracker table body generated at 0° module inclination. Therefore, row distance is measured from table body to table body rather than from the tilted module position. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Does tracker module tilt affect the generated table body? | No. The article states that the tracker table body is always generated with 0° inclination. Non-zero module inclination affects module rotation behavior, but the body used for row distance remains the 0° body. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What is Tracker Rotation Distance? | Tracker Rotation Distance defines the position of the rotation point, measured as the distance from the post head when the module has a non-zero inclination angle. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What does a tracker rotation distance of 0.00 mm mean? | A value of 0.00 mm means that the modules rotate directly around the post head. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| How is the maximum tracker rotation distance determined? | The maximum rotation distance is determined by adding the module support thickness to the module depth. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| When should I check the tracker rotation distance? | Check it when a tracker array uses a non-zero module inclination angle and the module rotation point must be positioned correctly relative to the post head. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if tracker modules rotate around the wrong point? | Check the Tracker Rotation Distance value. If it is 0.00 mm, the modules rotate around the post head; other values move the rotation point according to the configured distance from the post head. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What does Overhang Top/Bottom define? | It defines how far girders or binders extend beyond the module in the vertical direction. The article notes that this is not typical, but it can be entered. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What does Overhang Left/Right define? | It defines how far purlins extend beyond the module in the horizontal direction. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Why are overhang values important? | Overhang values increase the total area required for an array beyond the module area. These components must be considered for shadow calculation and for distances between rows and arrays within a row. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Do overhang values affect row and array spacing? | Yes. The article states that overhang values must be considered when calculating shadows and the distances between rows and arrays within a row. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Do overhang values affect the total required array area? | Yes. Both vertical and horizontal overhangs increase the total area required for an array beyond the area defined by the modules. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
When should I use Overhang Top/Bottom? | Use it when girders or binders extend beyond the module in the vertical direction. The article notes that this is not typical, so the value should only be entered when the rack design requires it. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
When should I use Overhang Left/Right? | Use it when purlins or other horizontal support elements extend beyond the module and must be included in spacing and shadow calculations. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if rows are farther apart than expected? | Check the overhang values, because overhangs increase the required array area and are considered when calculating shadows and row distances. Also check the selected distance reference and field placement settings. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if arrays in a row need more spacing than expected? | Check Overhang Left/Right, because horizontal purlin overhang increases the total area and must be considered when calculating distances between arrays within a row. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What does Fix Height To control? | It controls whether the array height is defined by a fixed post height or by a fixed front edge height. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What are the available height reference options? | The article describes two options: Post Height and Front edge height, with the front edge height measured from the photovoltaic active area. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What does Post Height mean? | Post Height means that the array height value refers to a fixed post height. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What does Front edge height mean? | Front edge height means that the array height is measured at the front edge from the photovoltaic active area. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What does Array Height define? | Array Height specifies the height value for the selected height reference. Depending on Fix Height To, it means either post height or front edge height. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if array height is interpreted differently than expected? | Check the Fix Height To setting. The same Array Height value can represent either post height or front edge height depending on that selection. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What does Module Inclination Min/Max define? | It defines the angle range to which modules can be adjusted on the rack. This range serves as a project reference and allows HELIOS 3D to detect technical limit exceedances. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Why are minimum and maximum module inclination values important? | They define the allowed technical angle range for the rack. HELIOS 3D can use this range to detect when a placement or project setting exceeds the permitted module inclination limits. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What does Module Inclination Default define? | It defines the default module inclination used for the geometry displayed in the table definition drawing and as a reference for post settings. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| How does default module inclination affect post settings? | Post distance settings are based on the default inclination angle and will adjust accordingly for other inclination angles. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if post distances change when inclination changes? | This can be expected behavior. The article states that post distance settings are based on the default module inclination and adjust for other angles. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if an inclination exceeds technical limits? | Check Module Inclination Min/Max, because this angle range is used as the reference for detecting technical limit exceedances. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What does Max. Slope define? | Max. Slope defines the maximum allowable ground slope on which the rack can be installed, because racks can only be installed within a limited slope range for structural stability. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
Why is Max. Slope important? | It protects structural stability by limiting rack placement to terrain slopes that are within the allowed range for the selected rack. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if HELIOS 3D rejects placement on steep terrain? | Check the configured Max. Slope value and compare it with the actual ground slope. The rack may be outside its structurally allowed installation range. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What does Distance Reference (at Slope) define? | It defines how the sloped distance between two racks is measured. The distance can be measured relative to either the array surface or the rack itself, with a Floor option noted as coming soon. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What options are available for distance reference on slopes? | The article describes measurement relative to the array surface or the rack itself. It also mentions that a Floor option is planned but not yet available. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
What happens when the distance reference is set to Rack? | When the reference is set to Rack, the distance is also verified at the bottom. This is necessary for configurations such as racks without posts. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
Why would I use the Rack distance reference? | Use the Rack reference when the bottom distance also needs to be verified, for example for rack configurations without posts. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
Is the Floor distance reference available? | Not according to the article. It states that a Floor option is coming soon. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| How can overhang affect the distance reference? | The distance considers the modules and may account for overhang specified in the General tab. In that case, the Overhang Left/Right input fields are deactivated. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
Why are Overhang Left/Right fields sometimes deactivated? | They can be deactivated when the distance reference accounts for overhang specified in the General tab. The article explicitly notes this behavior in the distance reference description. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if distance behavior on slopes is not as expected? | Check the Distance Reference (at Slope) setting and whether it is set relative to the array surface or the rack. Also check whether overhang from the General tab is being considered. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if bottom clearance is important? | Use or check the Rack distance reference, because this option verifies the distance at the bottom and is needed for configurations such as racks without posts. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if support geometry affects shadow calculation unexpectedly? | Check support thickness, overhang top/bottom, overhang left/right, array height reference, and module inclination. These parameters define the rack support body and influence the total required area and shadow/spacing calculations. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if an array definition behaves differently for trackers than for fixed-tilt racks? | Check whether the array type is a single-axis or multi-row tracker. Tracker presets apply, Rotation Distance becomes active, table body is generated at 0° inclination, and row distances are measured body-to-body. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if tracker row distances do not change with module tilt? | This is expected for trackers. The table body is always generated with 0° module inclination, and row distances are measured from table body to table body. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if module inclination settings do not match project requirements? | Check the minimum, maximum, and default module inclination values. The min/max values define the allowed technical range, while the default value controls the geometry shown in the definition drawing and serves as a reference for post settings. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if the rack cannot be installed on a certain slope? | Check the Max. Slope setting, because it defines the maximum allowable ground slope for structural stability. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Does the article describe detailed formulas for length and width? | No. The article states that length and width are calculated from module arrangement, gap distances, and overhang values, but it does not provide a detailed formula. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Does the article describe detailed validation errors for invalid values? | No. The page explains the meaning of fields but does not list specific validation messages or error codes. These should be checked technically if needed for support documentation. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Does the article describe all tracker configuration settings? | No. It explains tracker presets and Rotation Distance, but it does not cover every tracker-related setting in the Array Generator. Related tracker and array-type documentation should be checked for full setup details. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Does the article describe post geometry in detail? | No. It mentions post height, post head, and post-related tracker presets, but detailed post configuration is handled in the separate Posts topic. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Does the article describe how these settings affect existing placements? | No. The article describes Module Support parameters, but it does not specify how changes affect already placed arrays. This should be checked in HELIOS 3D or related placement documentation. |
| How does Module Support relate to the Common Tab? | The Common Tab defines module arrangement, gaps, and module data, while Module Support uses those values plus overhangs to calculate support length and width and define rack support geometry. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| How does Module Support relate to Array Types? | Some Module Support behavior is array-type-specific. For example, tracker arrays activate Rotation Distance and apply tracker presets, while other array types may use different height and distance references. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| How does Module Support relate to Posts? | Module Support defines height references, support thickness, inclination reference, and tracker rotation distance, while the Posts topic contains detailed post configuration. The article states that default module inclination serves as a reference for post settings. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| How does Module Support relate to field placement? | Module Support values define geometry and limits that affect placement, including array height, support overhang, module inclination range, maximum slope, and distance measurement on slopes. These values influence whether and how arrays can be placed in fields. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| How does Module Support relate to shadow calculation? | Overhang values increase the total area required by the array and must be considered when calculating shadows and distances between rows and arrays. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| How does Module Support relate to row distance? | Row distances depend on support geometry and overhangs. For trackers, row distances are measured from table body to table body, with the body generated at 0° module inclination. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What information is missing from the Module Support article for RAG use? | The article does not provide detailed length/width formulas, specific validation errors, full tracker setup instructions, detailed post configuration, or effects on existing placements. These points should be checked in related Help Center topics or technically validated before being added as visible documentation. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the main takeaway from the Module Support article? | The Module Support section defines the support body and installation limits of an array definition. Its values control support size, thickness, overhang, height reference, tracker rotation point, inclination range, slope limits, and distance measurement behavior, all of which influence array geometry, placement, row spacing, and shadow-related calculations. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
