The photovoltaic sector is experiencing sustained growth in France. Projects are multiplying, ranging from industrial rooftops to ground-mounted power plants, as well as parking lot shade structures and commercial self-consumption installations. Behind every project lies electrical equipment that must be designed and manufactured: DC protection enclosures, AC cabinets, low-voltage distribution panels, and complete technical shelters. Photovoltaic installers and power plant developers rely on specialized panel builders to produce this equipment, often in recurring volumes and with tight deadlines. Several panel builders in the photovoltaic sector already rely on SchemELECT and FTZ-Panel 3D CAD software to organize their production.
The photovoltaic industry: a steady source of business for panel builders
A panel builder specializing in the photovoltaic sector does not handle one-off projects. Instead, they routinely manufacture the same types of equipment: DC protection enclosures for panels, AC coupling cabinets at the inverter output, low-voltage main switchboards for general distribution, and technical shelters housing all protection and metering equipment in large-scale installations. This steady volume of work presents a real opportunity for a panel builder who knows how to organize effectively. The technical constraints are specific to photovoltaics: high-voltage DC circuits, DC fuses, photovoltaic surge arresters, DC disconnect switches, and compliance with grid connection requirements. Standardizing the design of this equipment is key to handling the volume without increasing errors and meeting the deadlines demanded by installers.
From the design phase to the physical installation of the cabinet
The panel builder receives a photovoltaic design study containing sizing data: protection ratings, and DC and AC cable cross-sections. SchemELECT allows this data to be converted into single-line or multi-line diagrams that are directly usable for manufacturing, without the need to re-enter data from an external spreadsheet. FTZ-Panel 3D takes over for the physical design of the enclosure: component layout on DIN rails, terminal block positioning, cable tray routing, and internal organization of a shelter or photovoltaic low-voltage switchgear. The panel builder visualizes the equipment in three dimensions before starting the wiring in the workshop, which reduces adjustments and rework on the production line.
Terminal blocks and cable lugs without re-entry
In a photovoltaic enclosure or cabinet, there are numerous connections that must be thoroughly documented for wiring in the workshop and for delivery to the installer. SchemELECT automatically generates terminal block diagrams and cable lists from the drawn schematics. Every connection drawn in the schematic is directly fed into the manufacturing documents. If the photovoltaic design changes during the project, a modification in the schematic is automatically reflected throughout the entire file without manual intervention. For recurring orders of identical equipment or equipment with variations, this automation represents a significant time savings for each new project.
The bill of materials is ready for procurement
Before manufacturing a DC cabinet, a low-voltage distribution panel, or a photovoltaic shelter, the panel builder must procure the exact materials: DC and AC circuit breakers, photovoltaic fuses, surge arresters, terminal blocks, cable trays, mounting hardware, and busbars. SchemELECT automatically generates the complete bill of materials from the components entered in the schematics. The list can be sent directly to the supplier without the need for manual line-by-line verification. For series of similar equipment, the bill of materials for a standard unit serves as the basis for all subsequent projects.
Conclusion
The photovoltaic market offers panel builders a steady and rapidly growing stream of business. To manage this growth, they must streamline their processes and organize themselves to produce quickly and accurately. DC enclosures, AC cabinets, low-voltage switchboards, and shelters: each piece of equipment requires a complete and consistent technical file. The industry-specific software SchemELECT and FTZ-Panel 3D cover the entire chain, from photovoltaic electrical schematics to the three-dimensional design of the cabinet, including terminal blocks, cable lists, and the bill of materials. FTZ supports a rapidly growing client base of panel builders in the photovoltaic sector, with several active client references in this industry. SchemELECT and FTZ-Panel 3D have established themselves as the go-to software solutions for panel builders serving the photovoltaic sector in France.
