Photovoltaic Prediction Software: Evaluation with Real Data from Northern Spain

Abstract

Prediction of energy production is crucial for the design and installation of PV plants. In this study, five free and commercial software tools to predict photovoltaic energy production are evaluated: RETScreen, Solar Advisor Model (SAM), PVGIS, PVSyst, and PV*SOL. The evaluation involves a comparison of monthly and annually predicted data on energy supplied to the national grid with real field data collected from three real PV plants. All the systems, located in Castile and Leon (Spain), have three different tilting systems: fixed mounting, horizontal-axis tracking, and dual-axis tracking. The last 12 years of operating data, from 2008 to 2020, are used in the evaluation. Although the commercial software tools were easier to use and their installations could be described in detail, their results were not appreciably superior. In annual global terms, the results hid poor estimations throughout the year, where overestimations were compensated by underestimated results. This fact was reflected in the monthly results: the software yielded overestimates during the colder months, while the models showed better estimates during the warmer months. In most studies, the deviation was below 10% when the annual results were analyzed. The accuracy of the software was also reduced when the complexity of the dual-axis solar tracking systems replaced the fixed installation.

Technical, Economic, and Environmental Feasibility Assessment of Grid‐Connected Photovoltaic Power Generation Systems with Different Tracking Models in Hefei, China

“…The software also has an extensive database of PV modules, inverters, storage systems, and other devices. [ 26,27 ] PVSOL software uses meteorological data and physical models used to simulate PV modules and inverters to estimate the performance of installed PV systems. [ 26 ]…”

“…The software also has an extensive database of PV modules, inverters, storage systems, and other devices. [26,27] PVSOL software uses meteorological data and physical models used to simulate PV modules and inverters to estimate the performance of installed PV systems. [26] PVSOL software has the advantages of fast, simple, detailed, and reliable, and can be used for PV system and process simulation.…”

Improving solar photovoltaic installation energy yield using bifacial modules and tracking systems: An analytical approach

“…PVsyst 7.2 was used for the simulations because it is a sophisticated tool with numerous features for detailing the PV system and has a quick simulation time. 49 In several comparative studies, the software has received considerably high ratings and recommendations 50,51 unlike Homer and Retscreen which lacks building 3D modeling and shading analysis due to neighboring building.…”

Enovoltaics: Symbiotic integration of photovoltaics in vineyards

“…To perform the analysis, PVGIS v5.2 (European Commission, 2020) hourly data is used considering the different components of radiation, that is, beam (B), diffuse (D) and reflected (R) as well as the sun elevation angle. There are numerous specific software tools for PV system modeling and performance estimation; the characteristics of each program are commonly based on what type of solar radiation databases can be used, PV product libraries, inputs required, shadow modeling, electrical losses, and other features (González-Peña et al, 2021). PVGIS is well-known for its ease of use and accessibility.…”