INTERNATIONALJOURNALOFAPPLIEDENGINEERINGRESEARCH,DINDIGUL Volume1,No 3,2010 Copyright2010AllrightsreservedIntegratedPublishingAssociation REVIEWARTICLE ISSN 09764259

InvestigationofSolarPhotovoltaicSimulationSoftwares
MahendraLalwani, MoolSingh DepartmentofElectricalEngineering,MalaviyaNationalInstituteofTechnology, Jaipur,India. [email protected] ABSTRACT Thispaperpresentsthescenariooftheavailable Photovoltaic(PV)simulationsoftwarestill date.Someprogramsarespecificallydesignedforphotovoltaicapplicationsandsomeinclude additional renewable energy simulation features. An extensive worldwide search was made for providing diagnosis of photovoltaic simulation softwares. The identified simulation softwareswereevaluatedaccordingtothefollowinggeneralcriteria 1. C1theirCommercialavailabilityandcost 2. C2theirworkingplatform 3. C3theirworkingcapacities 4. C4theirscopesand outputs 5. C5theirupdatability. Keywords: Simulation, Sensitivity Analysis, Meteorological parameters, Roofintegrated systems. 1.Introduction Simulation modeling and analysis is becoming increasingly popular as a technique for improving or investigatingprocess performance. Simulationhas got a lotof applications in todays worldscenario i.e.in the area ofhealthcare, computer and communication system, manufacturing and material handling system, automobile industry, Logistics and Transportationsystem,Servicesystem,MilitaryandScheduling.Sincesimulationisamain toolformodelingandanalysissotechnologyadvancementisoccurring inthisfield.Recent advances in simulation methodologies, availability of software, and technical developments havemadesimulationoneofthemostwidelyusedandacceptedtoolsinsystemanalysisand operation research. Hence market contains a continuously increasing numberof simulation software products. The reach of simulation has become wide because the softwares are becoming cheapaswellascontainingeasytolearn languages.Thatsthereasonwhy,market containsspecificsimulationsoftwareforaspecifictask[Vermaetal.,2008].Inthefieldof Solar PV system, if one is to design stand alone PV system, then there will be separate simulation softwareforcorrespondingtask aspartherequirementoftheusers. There are twelve major types of softwares for simulating Solar PV System these are RETScreen,PVFChart,SolarDesignTool,INSEL,TRNSYS,NRELSolarAdvisorModel, ESPr11.5,PVSYST4.33,SolarPro,PVDesignProG,PV*SOLExpert,HOMERandmany others available are DDSCAD PV, Polysun , APOS photovoltaic StatLab , PV Designer, SolarNexus,ValentinSoftware,PVCostSimulationTool,NREL'sInmyBackyard,

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Table1:MajorSoftwaresforPVSimulationintheworldmarket SoftwareName Manufacturer/Developin Cost/License gInstitution RETScreen TRNSYS HOMER INSEL NaturalResourcesCanada FreeofCharge UniversityofWisconsin, Madison,US NationalRenewable EnergyLaboratory,USA $2100foreducational use FreeofCharge Website www.retscreen.net http://sel.me.wisc.edu/t rnsys/ www.nrel.gov/homer

InselCompany,Germany 1700Euroforfull http://www.insel.eu version85Eurofor fullversionforstudents UniversityofWisconsin, Madison,US NationalRenewable EnergyLaboratory, Washington $400forsingleuser, $600foreducational site Free http://www.fchart.com / https://www.nrel.gov/a nalysis/sam/backgroun d.html http://www.pvsyst.com /5.2/index.php

PVFChart

NRELSolar Advisor Model(SAM) PVsyst

InstituteofEnvironmental 900CHFforone Sciences(ISE),University machinelicense150 ofGeneva,Switzerland CHFforadditional machines

SolarDesignTool Verdiseno,Inc,Santa Cruz,USA ESPr11.5

Freeversionavailable http://www.solardesig andanexpertversion ntool.com/ withamonthlyfee http://www.esru.strath. ac.uk/Programs/ESP r.htm

UniversityofStrathclyde, Free Scotland LaplaceSystemCo.,Ltd, Japan

SolarPro

$1,900foreducational http://www.lapsys.co.j use p/english/ $249.00forSolar DesignStudioCD ROM Euro2456,00for20 licensesfor educationaluse http://www.mauisolars oftware.com/ http://www.valentin.de /en/products/photovolt aics/12/pvsolexpert

PVDesignProG MauiSolarEnergy SoftwareCorporation, Haiku,USA PV*SOL Expert Dr.ValentinEnergie Software,Germany

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SolmetricIPV, Solmetric Suneye, Blue Oak Energy and Solar Pro Magazine's Solar Select, Seneca Software & Solar, Inc., Sombrero, PV Potential Estimation Utility, Horizon,Panoramamaster,METEONORM,GOSOL,Shadows,ShadowAnalyser,SPYCE, ECOTECT, Tetti FV, Kerychip, PV Professional, Pvcad, Meteocontrol etc. [Solar photovoltaic software, www.appropedia.org, November, 2010][Modeling Software, www.energycommunity.org, November, 2010][PV resources, www.pvresources.com, December,2010].ThedesirablefeaturesofPVSimulationsoftwareincludeconsiderationof Hardware and software, Simulation Capabilities, Modelling capabilities and Input Output issues. In this paper we present the major simulation software, available in the market for Solar Photovoltaic system and also discuss features of these products on the basis of above mentioned five evaluation criteria of simulation software [Law and McComas, 1994 Tiba andBarbosa ,2001]. 2.AvailableSolarPVSimulationSoftwares ThetwelvemajorSolarPVsimulationsoftwaresarepresentedintable1,followedbytheir developinginstitutions,theircostandtheirwebsite.Table1iscreatedonthebasisofcriteria for including these twelve softwares as major tools. The Criteria are: the usefulness of the tool for analysis of energy systems in context of sustainable development publically availability of a reasonable amountofdocumentation for the software the flexibilityof the tool containing wide range applications. The detailed description of all softwares for simulating Solar PV system, along with the criteria of selecting simulation software is followedfurther. 2.1RenewableEnergyTechnologiesScreen(RETScreen) RETScreenisaresultofaugmentationofvariousproficientfromtheCanadiangovernment, industry, and academia. Its a decision support tool. The application of the software is to assaythe energy production and savings, costs, emission reductions, financial viability and risk for various types of Renewableenergy and Energyefficient Technologies (RETs). It facilitatesmodelingandanalyzingofanycleanenergyprojectforengineers,architects,and financialplanners. Thatswhy RETScreenistheabsoluteproductofitskind. Itprovidesa five step standard analysis, including energy analysis, cost analysis, emission analysis, financialanalysis,andsensitivity/riskanalysisfordecisionmakers(Figure1). C1Commercialavailabilityandcost:FreeofCharge. C2 Working platform: For Latest version of RETScreen4 the working platform is MicrosoftExcel2000orhigherMicrosoftWindows2000orhigherandMicrosoft.NET Framework2.0orhigher. C3 Working capacities: The software is available in 35+ languages, covering more than 2/3rds of the worlds population. This software contains a wide range of applications. By usingcontiguouswaterpumpingtool,onecanassaythedailyandannualelectricityusefor water pumping. It is capable to model awide range of projects for industrial remote wind PVgensethybridpowersupplies,standalonebatterystoragesystemsforlighting,largescale 587

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multiarray central power plants, distributed power systems located on residential and commercialbuildings. C4Scopesandoutputs: Energyproductionandsavings,costs,GHGemissionreductionsfor various energy efficient and renewable energy technologies, financial viability and risk for centralgrid,isolatedgridandoffgridphotovoltaic(solarelectric)projects. C5Updatability:Yes.AnupdatedversionoftheRETScreen [RETScreen4] wasreleasedon September23,2010.

Figure1: FivestepstandardanalysisusingRETScreen

2.2TRaNsient SYstemsSimulation(TRNSYS) TRNSYS, is a commercially available simulation program, evolved in 1975.This software is the outcome of international collaboration of the United States, France, and Germany till now. TRNSYS alleviates the accession of mathematical models, the potentialities of the multi zone building model, the usable addon components, abletoport with other simulation programs. It is one of the most pliable energy simulation software packages. The userstipulates a system description language to specify the components that constitutethesystemandthemannerinwhichtheyareconnected. C1Commercialavailabilityandcost:$2100foreducationaluse. C2Workingplatform: AllversionsofWindowsandWindowsemulators.

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C3 Working capacities: TRNSYS is utile for analysis of control schemes, electric power simulation,solardesign,buildingthermalperformance,HVACanalysisandsizing,multizone airflowanalysisetc.TRNSYScanbeaccommodatedforelaboratedanalysisofany system, having a behavior dependent on the passage of time. It contains a special library of components to simulate renewable energybased power generation: PV systems, batteries, windturbines,fuelcells.Figure2presentstheDynamicDisplayofScopeComponentsinthe SimulationStudioofTRANSYS. C4Scopesandoutputs:Itcontainsanopenended output. C5Updatability:Yes.LatestupdateofTRANSYS(TRNSYS17)wasreleasedinJuly2010.

Figure2: DynamicDisplayofScopeComponentsintheSimulationStudioofTRANSYS 2.3HybridOptimizationModelforElectricRenewables(HOMER) HOMER modelsfordistributed generation(DG)systems bothon andoffgrid. HOMER's algorithms for optimization and sensitivity analysis, accounts for variations in technology costs and energy resource availability and also evaluates the economic and technical feasibility of a large number of technology options. This computer model was originally designed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the village power program and nowlicensedtoHOMEREnergy. C1 Commercial availability and cost: HOMER v2.80 is of $99 for a sixmonth license. HOMER2.68isfreeofcharge. C2Workingplatform:AllversionsofWindowsandWindowsemulators,suchasParallels fortheMacintosh.

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C3 Working capacities: HOMERhelpsinreducingthechallengesofdesigningof hybrid micropowersystems.Theirdesigningcanbecompositeandintriguingbecauseofnumerous dubieties and the variability of renewable power sources. For this the system designers comparemultipleconstellationsoverthelifeofthesystem,andmodeldiverseunpredictable parameters such as fuel termses or changes in load. HOMER contains a very powerful computation engine as well as a logical and intuitive interface. That's why it can simulate thousandsofsystemconstellationsinatriceandoptimizeforlifecyclecosts.Thissoftware posesnodifficultyforprofessionalsandnonengineerslikewisetomaster.HOMERperforms threebasictypesofanalysis:Sensitivityanalysis,Optimization,Simulation(Figure3). C4Scopesandoutputs:HOMERsimplifiesthetaskofevaluatingdesignoptionsforremote, standalone and distributed generation applications. It models a trice range of conventional and renewable energy technologies. Power sources that can be modeled include: solar photovoltaics (PV), wind turbines, runofriver hydro power, diesel, gasoline, biogas, alternative, cofired and customfueled generators, electric utility grids, micro turbines, and fuelcells.Storageoptionsinclude:batterybanksandhydrogen . C5Updatability:Yes.AnupdatedversionoftheHOMER(HOMER2.81)wasreleasedon April21,2008.

Figure3:HOMER:Inseconds,asensitivityanalysiscomparesmultipleoptimizations,each ofwhichsimulateshundredsofhybridenergysystems,foreveryhouroftheyear 2.4INtegartedSimulationEnvironmentLanguage(INSEL) INSELisagraphicalprogramminglanguageforthecommonobjectives.Inprinciple INSELiscapabletounravelanyproblemofcomputersimulation.Itprovidescontemporary functions as blocks for the simulation of meteorological data, electrical and thermal energy constituents, which can be adjoined to a concrete answer of a simulation problem. To understand, plan, monitor, and visualize energy systems, INSEL works as a modular simulationenvironment. C1 Commercialavailabilityand cost:Euro1700forfullversionEuro85forfullversion forstudentsEuro850for universities,researchinstitutesandotherpublicbodies. C2Workingplatform:Windows7,WindowsVista,andWindowsXP. 590

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C3 Working capacities: Simulation models can be contrived from existing blocks in the graphic editor HP VEE with afew mouse clicks. INSELprovides aprogramming interface for the annex of the block library. It endures with databases for photovoltaic modules, inverters, thermal collectors and meteorological parameters. The simulation of systems like ongridPVgeneratorswithMPPtrackerandinverterisrepresentedinFigure4.Convenient userinterfacesareaccreditedto intricatesimulation operations. C4Scopesandoutputs:TheapplicationfieldsofINSELcontainavarietyofgraphicaland numerical outputs either builtin or user defined. It covers solar irradiance simulation, photovoltaic and solar thermal applications. Requiring distinctive parts of a PV system i.e. optimum PV module parameters and recommended models, annual yield energy output, efficiencycomparisonsoffixed,1axistracking,and2axistrackingandefficiency gainsor lossesfortiltedfixedangles,IVcurves,celltemperaturedistributionandtheaccordeffecton theperformanceofthecell,array,andplant. C5Updatability:Yes.AnupdatedversionoftheINSEL(INSELversion8.0.1)wasreleased onOctober27,2010.

Figure 4: GridconnectedPVgeneratorwithMPPtrackerandinverter 2.5PhotoVoltaicFChart (PVFChart) PVFCHARTisaninclusivephotovoltaicsystemanalysisanddesignprogramdevelopedby company FChart Software. PV FCHART accommodates monthlyaverage performance calculation for each hour of the day. The methods employed in calculation elucidate statisticalvariationofradiationandtheload using solarradiationusefulness. C1Commercialavailabilityandcost:$400forsingleuser,$600foreducationalsite. 591

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C2Workingplatform: MicrosoftWindows. C3Workingcapacities:ThesoftwareComprisesofweatherdataforover300locationsand is able to include additional weather data. It can model utility interface systems, battery storage systems, and standalone systems. The features of the software are fast execution, hourlyloadprofilesforeachmonth,statisticalloadvariation,buy/sellcostdifferences,time ofday rates for buy/sell, lifecycle economics with cash flow and monthly parameter variation (Figure 5). It includes fixed, 1axis, and 2axis tracking as well as concentrators trackingoptions. C4 Scopes and outputs: Energy production and savings, system performance results, efficiency, load, economics summary, life cycle costs, equipment costs, initial investments, solar fraction costs, GHG emission reductions for various energy efficient and renewable energy technologies, financial viability and risk for centralgrid, isolatedgrid and offgrid photovoltaic (solar electric) projects. The outputs can be obtained in both English and SI unitsforgraphicalandnumerical outputs. C5Updatability:Yes.

Figure5: MonthlySystemPerformancesummary 2.6NationalRenewableEnergy Laboratory SolarAdvisorModel(NRELSAM) The System Advisor Model (SAM) is a performance and economic model. It Runs on TRNSYS engine. It fosters using a consistent methodology for analysis athwart all solar

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technologies,includingfinancingandcostassumptions.Thepurposeofdesigningthismodel is to expedite decision making for people associated with industries of renewable energy. SAMreinforcesthedevelopmentofprogramprioritiesanddirectionandalsotheconsecutive investmentrequiredtosupportsolarR&Dactivities.ItispreferredtousetheSAMsoftware along with technology and cost benchmarking and market penetration analysis (Figure 6). The gamut of the software covers project managers and engineers as well as incentive programdesigners,technologydevelopersandresearchers. C1Commercialavailabilityandcost:FreeofCharge. C2Workingplatform: Windows2000(orlater)and/orIntelbasedMacintoshes. C3 Working capacities: SAM uses a systemsdriven approach (SDA) and Solar Energy TechnologiesProgram(SETP)technology.SDAbridgesthemarketrequirementswithR&D efforts.ItevaluatesthespecificityofR&Dimprovementsanditsaugmentationtotheoverall system cost and performance. SDA is very useful for efficient resources allocation. SAM evaluates several types of financing and a variety of technologyspecific cost models for nearly all technologies. The SETP technologies currently represented in SAM include ConcentratingSolarPowerparabolictroughanddishStirlingsystemsandalsophotovoltaic flatplateandconcentratingtechnologies. Totalinstalledcost,thesumofdirectandindirect costs,isusedtocalculatethelevelizedcostofenergy inSAM. C4 Scopes and outputs: Levelized cost of electricity, system capital and operating and maintenance costs, system energy output, peak and annual system efficiency and hourly systemproduction. C5Updatability:Yes.UpdatedonNovember9,2010,SAMVersion2010.11.9isthemost currentversion.

Figure6: SAM:Screenshot

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2.7 PhotoVoltaic systems(PVsyst) PVsyst isappropriateforgridconnected,standalone,pumpingandDCgridsystems.It isa PC software package for the study, sizing, simulation and data analysis, directed for architects,engineersandresearchers, enduringquitebeneficialtoolsforacademia.Thenew PVsystVersion5.0facilitatesamultilanguageinterface(English,French,German,Spanish andItalian). C1 Commercial availability and cost: 900 CHF for one machine license 150 CHF for additionalmachines. C2Workingplatform:Windows7,Vista,XP(olderversionsofWindowsNT,98,95),32 bitsand64bitsprocessors,MACOSXandLinuxwithavirtualmachinerunningWindows 32bits.

Figure7: PVsyst:Screenshot C3Working capacities: PVsystproposesmultipleobjectstoillustrateshadingparameters and admits multiple bug fixes fromversions previous toversion 5.3.Thelatest version has thecapabilitytodefinemultiplePVfieldsandsimulatePVsystemswithassorteddirections. It contains 3 choices for the user: Preliminary design Project design and Tools (Figure 7). Preliminary designisaneasyandfasttool,allowingforgrid,standaloneorpumpingsystem presizing. This enacts a preliminary economic evaluation and yields the PVsystem component sizes, assesses the monthly production and performances. Project design part enactsdetailedsimulationinhourlyvalues,appendinganexpertsystem,toelucidatethePV

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fieldandtoselecttherightcomponents.Toolsincludethemeteodatabasemanagement,with graphical displays or tables of data and components management. PVsyst includes a direct linkforimportingmorethan1,750PVmodules,650inverters,nearly100solarpumpsand dozensofbatteriesorregulatormodelsfromthePHOTONdatabasewithcustomupdates. C4Scopesandoutputs:Numerousgraphsofthecomponent'sbehaviorelectricalPVarray behaviorunderpartialshadings,mismatchordoubleorientationquickmeteocalculationson tiltedplanes,withhorizon,shedsorsunshieldsshadingsclearskyirradiationyieldsontilted planeshourlymeteoplots,andcalculationsofirradiationontiltedplanes,alsowithongraph comparisonwithcleardaymodelextensiveoutputofsolargeometrytransposition factor plots, for plane orientation optimization generation of meteo hourly synthetic files from monthlyvaluesoperatingvoltageoptimizationtool. C5Updatability: Yes.Latestversion(PVsyst5.30)releasedon30November,2010. 2.8SolarDesignTool SolarDesign tool designs solar electric gridtied systems online. In two different ways it createsaPVsystemdesign.Firstmethodisfortheusertosupplyafewbasicdesignandsite parametersandthe secondmethodisfor creating a system by using System Builder. In the firstmethodtheuserselectsafewofthegeneratedconfigurations,comparesthem,andthen savesoneormoreofthemtoaproject.Inthesecondmethod,theuserspecifiesthedetailsof eacharrayconfiguration.Thetoolthengeneratesalistofallpossiblesystemconfigurations forthoseparameters. C1 Commercialavailabilityand cost: Freeversionavailableandanexpertversionwitha monthlyfee. C2Workingplatform:Windows. C3 Working capacities: Generate System Designs, String Sizing, System comparison, ArrayLayoutDesign. C4 Scopes and outputs: SolarDesign tool gives its output in the form of a system comparison table. System comparison table is a summary report of the system. The report includes:STCDC,PTCDCandCECoutputofarraynumber,modelnamesandspecsfor invertersandmodulesareaofarray,dimensionsofeachroofface,arraylayoutanddistances ofeachrowofmodulesrecordlowtemperatureandaveragehightemperatureofinstallation sitemaximumACoutputcurrentbasicschematicsoftheroof(including lengthandwidth dimensions of the roof faces and layouts). This tool outputs the list of all possible system compositionsforsupplieddesignparameters. C5Updatability:No. 2.9 EnvironmentalSystemsPerformancerenewable(ESPr) ESPr is an integrated energy modelling tool. It simulates thermal, visual and acoustic performance of buildings and the energy use and gaseous emissions. ESPr simulates actuality at the best. The level of simulation is congenial with current best practice. Using 595

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ESPrdesigner can analyze the intricate relationships between a building's form, fabric, air flow, plant and control, by concurrently directing all facets. ESPr is a finite volume, conservationbasedapproach,havingproblemconvertedintoasetofconservationequations. Theconservationequationsarethen integrated,inreactiontoclimate,occupantandcontrol systempersuadesatsubsequenttimesteps. C1Commercialavailabilityandcost:FreeofCharge/OpenSource. C2Workingplatform:UNIXoperatingsystem,withsupportedimplementationsforSolaris, Linux(Sun,Ubuntuetc.),OSX10.5and10.6.WindowsintheCygwinenvironment,orin nativeWindows(XPVista). C3 Working capacities: Around a central Project Manager a simulator, various performanceassessmenttoolsandavarietyofthirdpartyapplicationsforCAD,visualization, reportgenerationandsupportdatabasesaredesigned.Buildinggeometrycanbespecifiedvia CAD tools, inbuilt CAD facilities or clickongrid or image. ESPr supports a building representationof erraticintricacy. C4 Scopes and outputs: Simulation results can be viewed in many different ways using interactive results analysis module. It endeavors a variety of performance evaluations and probes the inter play among assessment domains. The models can be exported to other assessmentstools such asEnergyPlus, Radiance or VRML worlds. Users can use idealized environmentalcontrolsforearlydesignstageexplorations.Thegamutofanalysisisbasically unrestrictedanddatacanbeexportedtootheranalysisandgraphingtools.Toolsaccreditthe construction of an integrated performance view. This view abridges performance over a gamutofrelevantcriteria. C5Updatability:Yes.Latestversion(ESPr11.9)releasedon25June2010. 2.10Solar Pro FourbasicfunctionsarethemajorpartsofSolarProtheseareshade,IVcurve,Powerand Financial Analysis (Figure8).The effect of shade from any object canbefiguredout from theshadefunction,soastoobtaintheoptimalsettingsanddesignforcorrespondingmodule. Using the electriccharacteristic forany productof any company the system assays the IV curve of solar cell modules precisely and immediately. The software computes the precise resultintermsofamountofelectricitygenerated,forthesameitusesthelocationofthesolar cell: latitude, longitude, and condition of the atmosphere. Using the data from power calculationandinputdataofsystemcost,itquicklydeterminestheprerequisiteinformation onfinancialanalysis. C1Commercialavailabilityandcost:$1,900for educationaluse(asonJuly31,2008). C2Workingplatform:Windows98,NT,2000,MeorXP. C3 Working capacities: Solar Pro is suitable nearly for all type of simulations for solar electricpowersystem.SolarProallowsfiguringoutsolarpoweroverarrays,towhichcanbe employed geophysics and location of array. It also figures out various shadows on arrays 596

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precisely. Other functional characteristic are defining inverters and analysis of low coefficient, apersuasiveway to get more essential data,and creategraphs and reports.The programhasanovelselfregulatingstandtoolforprecise standplacementandmultiplelayers forelectricalschematics.SolarPro'sothersignificantfeatureisthepresentation,asimpleuse forworkingwithanimation (suchasanimatedshadow, activatedcalculationsetc). C4Scopesandoutputs: ItprovidesitsoutputinformofIVcurve,powergeneration,and lifecycleanalysis. C5 Updatability: Yes. Presently version 3.0 is running (Version 3.1 is also available after fewcorrections).

Figure8: Shade,IVcurve,PowerandFinancialAnalysis(respectively)inSolarpro 2.11 PhotoVoltaicDesignProgram Gridconnectedsystems(PVDesignProG) PVDesignProsoftwareisdesignedtosimulatephotovoltaicenergysystemoperationforone yearonanhourlybasis.Thesimulationisbasedonclimateandsystemdesignselectedbythe user. Three versions of the PVDesignPro program are available: "PVDesignProS" for standalonesystemswithbatterystorage,"PVDesignProG"forgridconnectedsystemswith no battery storage, and "PVDesignProP" for water pumping systems. It is a suite of Windows95,98,andNTsoftware. C1Commercialavailabilityandcost:$249.00forSolarDesignStudioCDROM. C2Workingplatform:WindowsVistaandWindows7.

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C3Working capacities:PVDesignProiswellsuitedforprofessionalPVsystemdesigners andresearchersaswellasfortherookiedesignerstoappraisesystemdesigns.Intendofthe programs are to aid in photovoltaic system design by rendering: precise and exhaustive information on likely system power output and load consumption essential backup power throughout the operation of the system and the financial encroachments of installing the proposedsystem.InFigure9&10theclimatewindowsandchartsareshown,whichcould beselectedbytheusers. C4 Scopes and outputs: The outputs incurred using PVDesignPro are: Solar Fraction chartsbymonthoftheyearbatterystatesofchargebymonthannualperformancetablean annualenergycostanalysisbasedoncostsofpurchasedenergyandsoldPVenergyCharts coverevery hourofthe yearandinclude:batterySOCbattery voltagesolarradiationona horizontal surface solar radiation on the array load and backup watts panels efficiency panel cell temperature angles of incidence slope angle and the azimuth angle A lifecycle cost analysis based on system cost, costs of backup energy, prices of sold energy, maintenance andreplacement costs and the estimated life of the system. Arateofreturn is calculatedintermsofoverallpriceperkWhofthesystemandpaybackyears. C5Updatability:Yes.Version6.0isthelatestreleasedon14August,2010.

Figure9: ClimateSelectionWindows 2.12 PhotoVoltaic SolarExpert(PV*SOLExpert)

Figure10: Climatedailycharts

PV*SOL Expert is useful to visualize all roofparallel and roofintegrated systems and to calculateshadingonthebasisof3Dobjects.Itincorporatesupto2,000modulesin3D.The 3D menu navigation contains four sections that are: terrain view, building view, module coverage, and module configuration. For the possible shading objects, positioned on the terrain or the building, PV*SOL Expert computes the on an average frequency of the modules shadowed by the objects and shows the result in graphical form. For elaborated information on shadows cast at various times of the day and year, consequently on likely reductionsinyield,theresultcanbevisualizedin3D mode. C1 Commercialavailabilityand cost:Euro1228,00forsinglelicenseEuro2456,00for 20licensesateducationalinstitutes. C2Workingplatform:Windows2000,XP,Vista,andWindows7.

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Figure11:Optimizingmoduleconfiguration C3Workingcapacities: ThePV*SOLExpertcarriesouta3DvisualizationofPVsystems withshadecalculationbasedon3Dobjects.Foroptimizingmoduleconfiguration(Figure11), user selects the modules and then the modules are configured along with the inverters. The program mechanically configures the individual strings. User can optimize the allocation dependingontheshadingposition. C4 Scopes and outputs: PV*SOL Expert has easy to use configuration of modules with inverters. It facilitates the visualization of annual irradiation reduction for each pointof the PVareaaswellastheoptimizationofPVmodulecoverageandconfigurationcorresponding to the shading position. It has automatic and manual PV module roof coverage and takes account of restricted areas also. It outputs the simulation of shading in 10 minute intervals and yield simulation takes account of the precise shading ratio for each module. Animated visualizationofthecourseofshadecanbeobtainedatanypointintime. C5Updatability:Yes.AnupdatedversionofPV*SOLExpert(PV*SOLExpert4.5R1)was releasedon7,July2010. 3. Conclusion IntheworldMarket,thereisanapparentextentofsoftwareprogramsavailableforanalyzing solarphotovoltaicsystems,eithercommerciallyavailableornot.Alldescribedsoftwaresown some prominent parts. Approximately all construed softwares are updated, have a user friendlyinterface,completegeneralmodeling,andhaveundergoneareasonableexperimental validation. Solar PV software simulatorson themarket aredesigned with different goals in mind, and have various limitations for solving certain problems. The desirable features of softwares for manufacturing simulation depend on the purpose of their use. Each software

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works inits specific areaof application,for Solar PV system. This paper will be helpful to theuser,inselecting precise softwareforaparticularjob,asaSolarPVSimulationtool. 4.References 1. Law Averill M. and McComas Michael G., 1994, Simulation Software for Communications Networks:TheStateoftheArt,StatusReport,IEEECommunications Magazine,pp4450. 2. TibaC.andBarbosaE.M.deS.,2001,Softwaresfordesigning,simulatingorproviding diagnosisofphotovoltaicwaterpumpingsystems,RenewableEnergy,25(1),pp10111. 3. VermaRajesh,GuptaAshuandSinghKawaljeet,2008,SimulationSoftwareEvaluation and Selection: A Comprehensive Framework, Journal of Automation and System Engineering,2(4),pp 113.
nd 4. Natural ResourcesCanada,www.retscreen.net,accessedon2 October,2010.

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14.AScreenShotofPVDesignProOneofthesolarenergyprogramsontheSolarDesign rd Studio,http://www.mauisolarsoftware.com,accessedon3 November,2010. 15.Details of PVSOL Expert, http://www.valentin.de/en/products/photovoltaics/12/pvsol th expert,accessedon8 November,2010.

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