Analyst helps import, visualize and check the reliability of solar resource data. To do that, the software brings multiple analytical and quality control tools for this purpose. Expert users can use Analyst for advanced analysis.
Open and create projects. You need to open or create a project to work with analyst. Projects store paths or connections of datasets used in the project, but doesn't physically store datasets.
Dataset manager. You can organize your databases, create new databases and select the datasets that are going to be linked to your Analyst projects.
Import exchange file. You can import data files through exchange files with extension .SDATASET, an easy way to exchange data between Analyst users without going through importing process of raw data again.
Import files. Import datasets from external files.
Combine datasets. Merge two datasets into one.
Table view. Explore the numeric values of your datasets.
Metadata editor. Manage relevant internal information related to your datasets: name, source, coordinates, parameters, meaning of logs e.g. data change logs, maintenance log, etc.
Aggregate dataset. Aggregate values into different granularities using this tool.
Calculator. Calculate new columns from your data using formulas.
Units convertor. Change data units.
Join datasets. Obtain one single dataset made from other datasets.
Time series visualization. Tool for plotting and analyzing one or multiple datasets and calculating data statistics.
Analyze tools. Run useful visualizations and metrics on data profiles, Kt analysis, trends, and other tools.
Compare. Compare data from different datasets.
Maintenance log viewer.
Time reference check. Identification and correction of time shifts, time drifts and other time-related issues.
Radiation check. Automatic flagging of solar irradiance data records by the given set of rules. Provides a set of advanced user options.
Meteo check. Automatic flagging of meteo parameter data records like temperature, wind, humidity, etc.
Interactive QC. Manual quality control tool for visual flagging of data records.
Post-filtering. Tools for removing scattered valid flags left in the dataset that usually don't provide much value.
Export CSV file. Export as comma-separated values (CSV) file with minimal or extended header
Export to exchange file. You can export data files to files with .SDATASET extensions, an easy way to exchange data between Analyst users.
Export PVsyst standard format.
Report. View results of data quality checks and generate reports in PDF.
The first time Analyst runs, the 'Getting started' window pops up. From this window, the user can open an existing project, open demo project or create a new project.
# | Component | Description |
1 | Project file (existing project) | Opens the dialog for browsing and selecting an existing project. The user can also insert the path. |
2 | Recent projects (speed dial) | Opens the chosen recently used Analyst project. |
3 | Demo project | Opens demo project. |
4 | Browse (new project) | Opens the dialog for browsing a new project path. The user can also insert the path. |
5 | Don't show me this dialog in the future | Option for disabling the dialog in the future. This setting can also be changed from the Settings menu. |
The top menu classifies data actions into categories as shown in the following table:
Component | Description |
|---|---|
Project | Open, create, save projects. |
Dataset | Import and export datasets. Edit metadata. |
Quality | Check time reference, radiation and meteo data. Post-filtering and interactive QC. Generate quality reports. |
Analysis | Time series visualization, data comparisons and other analysis. |
Tools | Data calculations and aggregations. Join and combine datasets. Unit conversion. |
Help | Reset license. Software version. |
At the top of Analyst main window you can find a link to the most common actions.
Icon | Description |
|---|---|
 | New project |
 | Open project |
 | Save project |
 | Data manager |
 | Import data file |
 | Import exchange file |
 | Export exchange file |
 | Calculator |
 | Time reference check |
 | Solar Radiation check |
 | Solar Radiation Advanced check |
 | Meteo check |
 | Interactive QC |
 | Interactive QC Advanced |
 | Postfiltering |
 | Report |
 | Time series |
 | Compare |
 | Analyze |
From the main Analyst window, the user can see the list of datasets linked to the opened project, see their information (metadata) and perform quick actions.
# | Component | Description |
1 | Project datasets | List of datasets linked to the project. |
2 | Edit list | Quick access to add or remove datasets, edit metadata and refresh database. |
3 | Context menu | The context menu contains frequently used tools for editing, previewing and exporting datasets. |
4 | Dataset Info | Basic information about the chosen dataset and the status of quality control. |
5 | Graph of dataset range | Shows range of data records for all datasets in the project. |
6 | RAM status bar | RAM status bar shows the current RAM usage. |
All dialogs with graphs come with a toolbar, which can be used for various interactive actions such as navigation through data, saving images, editing lines, etc.
Each toolbar has a set of basic actions, with specific actions for a given dialog.
Icon | Description |
 | Home button will reset the graph limits that include all the viewable data. |
 | This button has two modes: pan and zoom. Click the toolbar button to activate panning and zooming, then put your mouse somewhere over the axes. Press the left mouse button and hold it to pan the figure, dragging it to a new position. Press the right mouse button to zoom, dragging it to a new position. The x-axis will be zoomed in proportionately to the rightward movement and zoomed out proportionately to the leftward movement. The same is true for the y axis and up/down motions. The point under your mouse when you begin the zoom remains stationary, allowing you to zoom in or out around that point as much as you wish. |
 | Click this toolbar button to activate this mode. Put your mouse somewhere over the axes and press a mouse button. Define a rectangular region by dragging the mouse while holding the button to a new location. When using the left mouse button, the axes view limits will be zoomed to the defined region. When using the right mouse button, the axes view limits will be zoomed out, placing the original axes in the defined region. |
 | Returns to the previous view |
 | Returns to the following view |
 | Use this tool to configure the appearance of the subplot: you can stretch or compress the left, right, top, or bottom side of the subplot, or the space between the rows or space between the columns. When clicking on tight layout, it automatically adjusts subplot params so that the subplot(s) fits into the figure area. This is an experimental feature and may not work in some cases. It only checks the extent of tick labels, axis labels, and titles. |
 | When clicking on figure options action, a new dialog appears, that allows the user to set axes, legend and curves basic settings like sizes, labels, colors, etc. These settings remain only for the current dialog session. After the dialog is closed, these settings are lost. When actions are clicked when multiple graphs are displayed, the user is first prompted to choose a graph for which to apply options. |
 | Click this button to launch a file save dialog. You can save files with the following extensions: png, ps, eps, svg and pdf. |
 | Shows data table view. |
 | Select data by rectangle tool is used in Interactive and Interactive Advanced QC dialogs. Click this toolbar button to activate this mode. Put your mouse somewhere over the axes and press a mouse button. Define a rectangular region by dragging the mouse while holding the button to a new location. After release, selected data are highlighted based on your flagging options. |
 | Same as selecting data by rectangle, but you can draw freehand. In addition, this tool is used in time reference checks to select data in time series/Kt graphs. |
 | Select data by polygon is used as previous two selectors in Interactive and Interactive Advanced (only in heatmaps) QC dialogs. Every click will define corner of the polygon and for closing the polygon click on the first point of the polygon. |
 | Select data by expression tool is used in Interactive and Interactive Advanced QC dialogs. Click this toolbar button to open a new data selector dialog. In the dialog, you can write a custom mathematical expression to select data, which will be highlighted after the selection was applied and the dialog was closed. |
 | Flag import tool is used in Interactive and Interactive Advanced QC dialogs. Click this toolbar button to open a new dialog, that allows users to import flags from another dataset to the current dataset. |