7SecondSolar’s AUTOPV Wins The smarter E AWARD 2025

Key takeaways: 

• Computational software uses algorithms to create PV system layouts, optimize cable routes, and place equipment for MW-scale projects 

• The software produces detailed technical documents, including AutoCAD drawings, cable schedules, and bills of quantities 

• Users can compare different design options and access the platform without needing prior AutoCAD experience 

Founded in 2022, 7SecondSolar is a South Africa-based company that provides software as a service for planning MW-scale solar PV systems. The company’s AUTOPV product is one of the winners of The smarter E AWARD at Intersolar Europe 2025. 

AUTOPV is a trademarked computational tool that automates detailed designs of complex PV installations, allowing multiple iterations before finalizing the layout. According to the company, the tool uses advanced algorithms to determine precise system layouts with optimized cable routes, inverter and junction box placements, and the geometries of the arrays, in the form of reports. Additionally, it also generates interactive 3D renders of solar plants . 

7SecondSolar highlights that what usually takes months to redraw or reroute the cables when there is a change in the site configuration or equipment, AUTOPV does much more quickly. According to the company, AUTOPV is able to deliver 8 iterations in one day for a 200 MWdc system with 2,000+ kilometers of cables, over 370,000 modules, and cable loss % (power loss in % due to resistance and other electrical loss due to the current flow through the cables) accurately up to 3 decimals. 7SecondSolar claims that the tool can also deliver detailed AutoCAD drawings, cable schedules (complete details of cable types, sizes, lengths, and routing required for an installation project), and an 85% accurate bill of quantities or BoQ (document listing materials, labor, other resources, and costs associated with it). 

7SecondSolar states that the tool also facilitates comparative analysis between various iterations, based on modules, trackers, string inverters, and other DC and AC BoS (balance of systems) components, to find a desired cost and energy yield solution. The tool provides an existing catalog of equipment to choose from and input into the computational software. The company shared that its cloud platform can be accessed and used by project managers and engineers without any prior AutoCAD skills. 

7SecondSolar claims that AUTOPV was used to design a total of 2.1 GW of PV installation systems, with a 5 MW project the smallest and a 332 MW project the largest so far.