Recommended Software
PVsyst is designed to be used by architects, engineer, and researchers. It is also a very useful educative tool. It includes a detailed contextual Help menu that explains the procedures and models that are used, and offers a user freindly approach with guide to develop a project. PVsyst is able to import meteo data from many different sources, as well as personal data. Download Now .
ETAP Photovoltaic Array is used to represent individual panels connected in series and parallel combinations with a grid tied inverter in order to simulate and analyze grid connected solar farms. Photovoltaic array element is part of the ETAP Renewable Energy system and is fully integrated with all ETAP calculation modules such as Load Flow, Short circuit, Transient Stability, Harmonic Analysis, Protective Device Coordination, and ETAP Real-Time solutions. The characteristics of the photovoltaic such as the Power-Voltage (P-V) curve and the Current-Voltage (I-V) curve can be defined in ETAP using the Photovoltaic Library or manually specifying the Maximum Peak Power Voltage (Vmp-p), Maximum Peak Power Current Imp-p, Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) and Short Circuit current (Isc). Download Now!
HelioScope is an advanced PV system design tool that integrates system layout and performance modeling to simplify the process of engineering and selling solar projects. Download Now!
A real-world representation of the shading from surrounding objects is extremely important for precisely calculating yields. You’re therefore looking for a program which takes shading into account as analytically as possible? PV*SOL® premium does just that! You can visualize all roof-integrated or mounted systems - even on the ground - with up to 5,000 modules in 3D and calculate shading on the basis of 3D objects. Download Now!
Recommended Websites (Educational and Research)
Organizations, Association and Labs:
The Global Institute of Electrical Engineering (GIEE): http://www.giee.org
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): http://www.nrel.gov/
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA®): http://www.seia.org/
California Energy Commission (CEC) : http://www.energy.ca.gov/
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): http://www.irena.org/
Online Calculators and Tools
Annual Insolation (U.S.) Tool
This tool enables you to find the annual insolation values as a function of panel/module orientation. Click here.
Roof Azimuth Tool
NREL's PVWatts® Calculator
This tool is used to estimate the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world. It allows homeowners, small building owners, installers and manufacturers to easily develop estimates of the performance of potential PV installations. Click here.
ABB String Sizing Tool
The ABB String Sizing Tool is a free, web-based resource that enables designers to determine the optimum string size for a specific photovoltaic module and ABB solar inverter combination.
This tool requires users to specify the design site location, low and high temperatures, the PV panel and the ABB inverter. Once this criteria is selected, the tool calculates all the allowable string configurations which provides the designer with options to choose the most appropriate design for the solar installation. Click here.
Basic Solar System Cost Calculator
This tool is used to get a rough estimate of how much a solar panel system might cost you based on your location and the average electrical consumption in that area. If you have access to your power bills find the average kWh per month your house uses for a more accurate system size estimation. Click here.
