An integrated design software for photovoltaic systems

This paper describes the features of the PV system integrated evaluation software (PVI) developed by the authors. "PVI" was developed to assist in the design of grid-connected PV system applications and consists of a main tool and three optional tools. The main tool is the basic design tool. This tool is used to determine the PV system output energy based on the loss percentage of the PV system. The proportion of losses is based on development data calculated by the evaluation method developed at our Lab., "the sophisticated verification (SV) method". This method allows the user to feedback the performance of existing systems performance and loss pattern information to new PV system design projects. "PVI" has also three optional tools. The main optional tool is a PV array simulation tool. This tool is available for estimating annual, monthly or daily output power of PV arrays with different azimuth and orientation for the maximum of four surfaces at the same time. This simulation model calculates output power from I-V characteristic, considering effects of irradiance, ambient temperature, module rating, and so on. The other optional tool is for shading analysis that evaluates shading problems based on fish-eye lens pictures. This tool enables the user to determine the shading losses at the PV system under complex conditions. Additionally, PVI is able to input the database of SV method. The database includes the total design factor, which is analyzed data of existing PV systems.