T*SOL
Pros
- Provides high simulation accuracy using time intervals of one to six minutes.
- Includes a large and regularly updated database of real-world components.
- Automatically generates EU energy labels for combined heating systems.
- Provides optimization tools for comparing component sizes and configurations.
- Includes Photo Plan visualization for customer presentations.
- Generates detailed technical and financial reports.
- Supports residential, commercial, swimming pool, and industrial process heat systems.
Cons
- The desktop application is limited to supported Windows operating systems.
- Users without solar thermal engineering knowledge may face a significant learning curve.
- The professional license may be expensive for installers that only design solar thermal systems occasionally.
- Advanced shading visualization may require suitable graphics hardware.
- The platform focuses on solar thermal systems rather than photovoltaic electricity generation.
Designing efficient solar thermal systems requires balancing numerous variables, from collector orientation to storage capacity. T*SOL addresses these complexities by providing a dynamic simulation environment that predicts the energy performance and economic viability of solar thermal installations. By simulating system behavior in short time increments, the software helps professionals avoid undersizing or overspecifying components.
Engineers, HVAC planners, and installers use T*SOL to create reliable system designs for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Whether planning a basic domestic hot water system or a complex industrial process heat network, the platform provides the technical foundation needed to justify investments and estimate long-term performance.
What Is T*SOL?
T*SOL is a specialized desktop application developed by Valentin Software, a company with more than 25 years of experience in renewable energy simulation. It belongs to the Solar Design Software category and focuses specifically on solar thermal systems.
The platform is designed for engineers, architects, energy consultants, HVAC planners, solar installers, and roofing specialists who need to calculate thermal energy yields and system efficiency.
T*SOL performs dynamic annual simulations by calculating temperatures and energy values at intervals ranging from one to six minutes. This detailed approach allows users to account for changing weather conditions, system temperatures, consumption patterns, and component behavior.
The software includes a database containing more than 4,000 solar collectors and 5,000 heat generators. It can also generate energy labels for combined heating systems in accordance with applicable European requirements.
T*SOL Features
Dynamic Annual Simulation
Calculates energy yields, system temperatures, losses, and component behavior in intervals of one to six minutes, providing a detailed representation of annual performance.
Extensive Component Database
Provides access to thousands of predefined solar collectors, boilers, storage tanks, heat generators, and other components from established manufacturers.
Preconfigured System Layouts
Includes more than 200 system templates for domestic hot water, space heating, swimming pools, district systems, and industrial process heat.
Parameter Variation
Allows users to run up to 400 simulations automatically to compare different component combinations and identify an appropriate relationship between collector area, storage volume, and energy demand.
Photo Plan Visualization
Allows users to import a photograph of a customer’s roof and place photorealistic solar collectors over the image. The resulting visualization can be included in customer presentations.
Financial Analysis
Calculates economic indicators such as Net Present Value (NPV), amortization period, investment costs, energy savings, and Modified Internal Rate of Return (MIRR).
Climate Data Integration
Uses Typical Meteorological Year data from Meteonorm for locations worldwide, helping ensure that simulations reflect local irradiation and temperature conditions.
Energy Label Generation
Generates EU energy efficiency labels for combined heating systems, helping installers prepare compliant customer documentation.
Shading Analysis
Provides graphical and numerical tools for evaluating the effect of buildings, vegetation, and other nearby objects on solar collector performance.
Screenshots
T*SOL Pricing
T*SOL is offered through professional licensing arrangements that may vary by edition, region, and reseller.
30-Day Free Trial
A 30-day trial is available for download. It provides access to the desktop software’s functionality so prospective users can evaluate the simulation and reporting tools.
Standard License
A named-user license for the professional desktop version has been listed at approximately €485 plus VAT for one year.
T*SOL Express
T*SOL Express is a simplified edition intended for trade professionals and users who need to prepare basic solar thermal designs quickly.
T*SOL Online
T*SOL Online is a free web-based tool for basic solar thermal output calculations. It does not include the full simulation, optimization, visualization, and reporting functionality of the desktop version.
Software Maintenance
The initial license may include a limited maintenance period for updates and support. An optional maintenance agreement can be purchased to continue receiving software updates, technical support, and current component database information.
T*SOL Integrations
T*SOL is primarily a standalone simulation application, but it supports several data, climate, document, spreadsheet, and graphics integrations.
Meteonorm Climate Data
Integration with Meteonorm provides access to global weather information for location-specific solar thermal simulations.
Weather Data Imports
The software supports additional climate data imports in formats such as DWD and WBV.
Microsoft Word Export
Customizable project reports can be exported to Microsoft Word for further editing and company-specific formatting.
PDF Export
Technical, financial, and simulation reports can be saved as PDF files for distribution to customers, investors, and project stakeholders.
CSV Export
Simulation results and parameter variation tables can be exported in CSV format for further analysis in Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet applications.
Graphics and OpenGL
T*SOL uses OpenGL for graphical and 3D shading visualizations. It also supports standard image formats for the Photo Plan feature.
How to Set Up T*SOL
- Download the installer from the Valentin Software website or use the download link provided after purchasing a license.
- Install the software on a compatible Windows computer.
- Launch T*SOL and enter the license key or select the 30-day trial option.
- Configure the preferred language, units, currency, and regional settings.
- Add your company details and branding for generated reports.
- Use the update manager to download the latest component database.
- Configure climate data for the regions where your company operates.
- Create your first project using the Design Assistant or a predefined system template.
How to Use T*SOL
1. Create a New Project
Open the Design Assistant and enter the project’s basic information, including its name, location, building type, and customer details.
2. Select a System Layout
Choose a predefined configuration that matches the customer’s requirements, such as domestic hot water, combined space heating, swimming pool heating, or industrial process heat.
3. Define the Energy Demand
Enter the required hot water volume, building heating demand, process heat demand, or swimming pool characteristics.
4. Select the Components
Choose solar collectors, storage tanks, boilers, heat exchangers, and other equipment from the integrated component database.
5. Configure the Collector Area
Define the number of collectors, orientation, tilt, available roof area, and potential shading conditions.
6. Run the Simulation
Start the dynamic annual simulation to calculate temperatures, energy flows, solar yield, system losses, auxiliary energy consumption, and solar fraction.
7. Analyze the Results
Review charts and tables to determine whether the proposed system meets its technical and energy performance targets.
8. Optimize the System
Use parameter variation to compare different collector areas, storage capacities, and component configurations.
9. Complete the Financial Analysis
Enter investment costs, energy prices, financing assumptions, maintenance costs, and available incentives to calculate economic performance.
10. Generate the Project Report
Create a professional report containing the technical configuration, simulation results, energy yield, environmental benefits, and financial analysis.
What You Can Manage with T*SOL
- System Designs: Create detailed technical configurations for solar thermal installations.
- Yield Simulations: Estimate annual energy production, system losses, and solar fraction.
- Financial Proposals: Generate reports containing NPV, MIRR, amortization periods, and investment costs.
- Shading Analysis: Evaluate how nearby objects affect solar collector performance.
- Energy Labels: Produce EU energy efficiency labels for combined heating systems.
- Component Databases: Create customized lists of preferred collectors, storage tanks, boilers, and heat generators.
- Parameter Comparisons: Compare different system capacities and component combinations.
T*SOL FAQs
What does T*SOL do?
T*SOL is a dynamic simulation application used to design, optimize, and calculate the energy yield of solar thermal systems. It models the interaction between collectors, storage tanks, boilers, loads, and other components throughout an entire year.
Who is T*SOL best for?
T*SOL is designed for engineers, HVAC planners, architects, energy consultants, and professional solar installers. It is particularly useful for professionals who need verified performance data and financial projections for residential, commercial, or industrial solar heating projects.
Is T*SOL free?
The professional T*SOL desktop application is paid software, but a free 30-day trial is available. T*SOL Online can also be used free of charge for basic solar thermal output calculations.
How much does T*SOL cost?
A professional named-user license has been listed at approximately €485 plus VAT for one year. Actual pricing may vary according to the edition, region, reseller, maintenance agreement, and current commercial terms.
What are the main limitations of T*SOL?
T*SOL focuses specifically on solar thermal installations rather than photovoltaic systems. The professional desktop version is designed for Windows and requires technical knowledge to use its advanced dynamic simulation and optimization tools effectively.
What are the best alternatives to T*SOL?
Common alternatives include Polysun for integrated renewable energy and thermal system modeling, RETScreen for energy project feasibility analysis, and TRNSYS for advanced dynamic simulations. PV*SOL is a related Valentin Software product intended for photovoltaic system design rather than solar thermal projects.
