The World Bank – SBI Grid Connected Rooftop Solar PV

TA Program

Session XIII : Overview of Simulation Software

Presented by
The World Bank SBI GRPV TA Program

1
Content
• Overview of PVSyst software
• Overview of Helisocope software
• Overview of PVSol software

2
OVERVIEW OF PVSYST SOFTWARE
Main Features
Project Design for Grid Connected PV Systems

Step 1:
Choose Project Design
from given section
Project Design for Grid Connected PV Systems

Step 2:
Select Grid Connected
System under Project
Design Tab
Project Design for Grid Connected PV Systems

Step 3:

Select Meteo data

 Select New project and
define project’s name
 Then select Site and
Meteo under parameter
section
Project Design for Grid Connected PV Systems

Step 3:

Select Meteo data

 Define Geographical
Coordinates for particular
location and define
geographical location and
Meteo
Project Design for Grid Connected PV Systems

Step 4:

Select Tilt and Orientation

 Select Field type and define

Field Parameters i.e. Plane
Tilt and Azimuth
Project Design for Grid Connected PV Systems

Step 5:

Configure System

 Specify the desired power or

available area
 Choose the PV module from
the internal database
Project Design for Grid Connected PV Systems

Step 5:

Configure System

 Choose the inverter from the

PVSyst database
 Chose a configuration, that
allows you to conduct a
simulation
Project Design for Grid Connected PV Systems

Step 6:

Define Various Losses

 Thermal parameters
 Ohmic losses
 Module quality Mismatch
 Soiling Loss
 IAM Losses
 Auxiliaries
 Degradation
 Unavailability
Project Design for Grid Connected PV Systems

Step 7:

Perform Simulation

 After defining various loss

parameters, perform
simulation and generate
results report
Project Design for Grid Connected PV Systems

Step 8:

Generate Report

 After simulation is complete

generate report

 The report will provide

monthly energy generation,
performance ratio and
specific energy yield
Project Design for Grid Connected PV Systems

Step 8:

Generate Report

 After simulation is complete

generate report

 The report will provide

monthly energy generation,
performance ratio and
specific energy yield
HELIOSCOPE SOFTWARE
Helioscope
Key Benefits

 Quickly evaluate potential sites

 Analyze design decisions
 Simplify your workflow
Main Features
 Solar focused software company
 Based in San Francisco, CA
 Recipient of SunShot Award (system
optimization
 Flagship product - Helioscope
 Cloud based application that provides a
faster & easier alternative to CAD +
PVSyst
 Used for preliminary layouts, value
engineering, bankable energy yield
calculations
 Used for projects of all sizes
(residential, commercial, utility) and all
countries
Project Design

Step 1:

Start

 Define project name,

address, and profile of the
PV system and click on
Create New Project
Project Design

Step 2:

Select Design

 Click on the new tab under

Designs section to start
designing your PV system
Project Design

Step 2:

Identify Areas for PV Array

Installation

 Select the exact location on

the map
 Click on the New tab under
mechanical section to draw
field segment
Project Design

Step 3:

Select PV Module

 Select PV module from the

module Library
Project Design

Step 4:

Select Tilt & Orientation

 Choose azimuth, tilt,

orientation, and racking of
the system; set the row
spacing and module spacing
accordingly
Project Design

Step 5:

Array Layout

 Update the field segment to

get system layout
 Get the capacity on your
desired location
Project Design

Step 6:

Select an inverter

 Select inverter from the

library
Project Design

Step 7:

Generate Wiring

 Click Generate Wiring for

strings connecting to
inverter
Project Design

Step 8:

Generate Report
PVSOL – STEP BY STEP DESIGN PROCESS
Key Features
Easy configuration
 Automatic determination of the best inverter configuration
 Manual adaptation of the configuration sophisticatedly supported

Entering the PV module areas in various ways

 Determination of the number of modules and visualization of the module surface using a
photo of the house
 Automatic module mounting on any roof type in a graphical 2D roof view
Key Features
Optimal evaluation and presentation of results
 Yield simulation of grid-connected PV systems by the hour
 Detailed economic forecast including main parameters like yield payback time
 Configurable project documentation printout including .pdf export

More Highlights
 Planning of PV systems with consumption, net metering and battery storage systems
 Calculation of AC losses DC losses and string losses
 Climate data selection using zip code or map, or your own climate data
Key Features
Always up to date
 Databases regularly updated by the manufacturers (PV modules inverters)
 Releases available regularly via program Internet update

Optimal user support

 The clear structure of the input parameters allows the rapid completion of the project.
Detailed settings are possible in sub-dialogs
 Any dimensioning errors are avoided by entry verification
 Easy selection of products (PV modules, inverters) are possible via favourites
Design Variables in PVSOL

 PV modules & Inverters for grid connected and stand-alone systems

 Batteries
 MPP trackers
 Load profiles for electrical load
 Electrical appliances
 Climate data for the system site
 Tariffs for energy supplied to and drawn from the grid
 Mix for electricity from the grid and energy savings.
 Loans
Speed Buttons on Menu Tab
 Technical Data (only systems without 3D
visualization)  Tariffs
 3D visualization (only systems with 3D  Economic Efficiency Calculation
visualization)  Annual Energy Balance
 Climate Data Files  Energy and Climate Data
 Individual Appliances  Summary Project Report
 Appliances – Load Profile  Variant Comparison
 Shading
 Simulation
Choosing the Type of PV Plant
Project Data
Climate Data / Location Selection
Input Energy Consumption
Transport the Client to the Roof
Module Selection
Inverter Selection
New Component Entry Format
Designing the Plant
Designing the Plant
Reporting Format
Graphical Interpretation of the Report
Financial Analysis

Dr Amit Jain
Renewable Energy Specialist
Email: amitjain@worldbank.org
Acknowledgment and Disclaimer:
This training material is made possible by the support of the American
People through the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID). The contents of this material are the sole responsibility of Nexant
Inc. and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States
Government. This material was prepared under Contract Number AID-386-
C-12-00001. The images shown here are taken from the Internet for
education purpose only. Further the training material has been modified
and updated as necessary by The World Bank – SBI GRPV TA Program 48