PV planning with PVsyst

PVsyst is designed to be used by architects, engineer and researchers, and it is also a very useful pedagogical tool. Is one of the most popular pv planning software in the market.

It includes a detailed contextual Help, which explains in detail procedures and models used, and offers an ergonomic approach with guide in development of a project. PVsyst is able to import meteo data from many different sources, as well as personal data.

http://www.pvsyst.com/

Today's Example is a roof planning of 9.87 kWp using polycrystalline pv modules and 1 (one) triphased string inverter.

Step 1 Create sketch of the roof.

• Measure everything that can reduce system's performance

• Use the techical datasheets of the pv modules (Dimensions) and place the modules on your design. 
• Choose the angle of the modules accoring your geographical place
• Make notes of the azimuth, around buildings (etc)

Step 2 Go to PVsyst - Import Meteo Data

• Import Meteo Data. Go to PVGIS Choose:

• Continent (Europe - Africa)
• Find Place (Coordinates GPS, Manually)
• Monthly Radiation
• Radiation Database: Climate SAF-PVGIS
• Calculate - From Browser ctrl+a and then ctrl+c

• Tools
• Meteo Database - import meteo data
• PV GIS (Europe - Africa) Monthly
• Location - Import
• Fix - Time Zone
• Save site
• Create Meteo

• Project design Grid Connected
• Project-Write plans info
• Site and Meteo - Country - Site Meteo file - Next
• Albedo - Monthly Values (Expert users) 
• Common Values 0.2 (Urban) usual values from the table on the right
• Set high and low temprature - OK 

Step 3 Near Shadings - Construct 3D Model

•  Near Shading - Construction / Perspective
• Object - New - Elementary Shading Object
• Construct the 3D model based on the Sketch
• Object - PV plane in Sheds - Width - Length (Datasheet of the PV module) Place them - Pick them and Choose Partition in Module Chains and make your planning portrait or landscape
•  Rotate whole scene (oriantation of the plan)
• Check your modules by performing Shadow animation over a day( Choose day of year - else relocate - When donne save and exit

  

• Update Oriantation Parameters 
• Use in Simulation - According to Module Strings - Module String Shading Factor - Table - OK

Step 4 PV System Planning

• System - Presizing Enter Planne Power
• Select Modules and Inverter
• Number of Modules and Strings
• Detailed Losses
• Field Thermal Loss factor
• Constant Loss Factor Uc (Roof - free Field)
• (Reocommended Free filed 29 W/m2/K and roof 15 W/m2/K)
• Wind loss factor 1,2 free and roof 0
• NOCT Factor 
• Free field 45 C
• Roof 68 C
• Ohmic losses has to do with cablings (recommended 1%)
• Missmatch losses 2% and 4% (Without Flash report)
• OK
• OK

Step 5 Simulation - Report

•  Simulation
• OK Results
• Save
• Report
• See your iso-Shaing diagramm
• Produced Energy
• Performance Ratio

Good Luck! Please your comment is very important for us. If you know a better way for more reliable results please comment.