New features in PVsyst

1. PVSYST SA - Route du Bois-de-Bay 107 - 1242 Satigny - Suisse
www.pvsyst.com
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New Features in PVsyst
PVPMC Workshop
22-23.10.2015 Cologne, Germany
Bruno Wittmer
Bruno.Wittmer@pvsyst .com

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New Features in PVsyst
• Features in latest Version
– Meteorological input
– Extensions to System Definitions
– 3D Editing
– Batch Simulations and Optimizations
– Miscellaneous Tools
• Upcoming Version
– Text-based file format
– Improved 3D Editor and Shadings Calculation
– Battery-Based Systems
Novelties cover
May 2014 – Sep. 2015
PVsyst 6.39
PVsyst 6.40
Planned for
Nov. 2015

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Meteorological input
Meteonorm Version 7.1
Creation of clear-sky model input
Comparison of yearly input files
PVsyst 6.39
For different years,
different sources
or different sites
Allows to estimate
the variation that is
used in P50/P90 analysis
Quick crosschecks
without measuring
irradiance
Site and Linke coefficient
Temperature Clear sky meteo data
Simulation with
clear sky model
Monitoring data
of known sunny days
Built-in Meteonorm database changed from V6.1 to V 7.1
(updated database, improved interpolation)

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Extensions to System Definitions
Power Optimizers
More flexibility with multi-MPPT inverters
New: Associate an Optimizer to the PV modules
Configure Optimizer
Input and Output
Visualize behavior of Optimizer
Available in PVsyst: SolarEdge, AMPT and TIGO
New: adjust the power sharing of several MPPT inputs
(before power was shared equally among all inputs)
PVsyst 6.39

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3D Editing
Automatic module distribution
on polygonal zones
Editable ground objects
Improved performance for large and complex scenes
Enhanced import features from Helios3D
New: Shading objects are imported too
Grouping of objects for common editing
PVsyst 6.39

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Inspect resultsExecute simulationsEdit parameter fileChoose parameters
Batch Simulations
Added more parameters to be used in batch runs
PVsyst 6.39
Orientation
Tilt
Azimuth
Shading
Pitch of Rows/Trackers
Ground Covering Ratio (GCR)
Shading limit angle
Tracker stroke angles
Backtracking
System Parameters
Single Diode Model (Rs, Rsh, Rsh(0))
Nr. modules in string
Nr. of strings
Inverter Model
Nr. of MPPT inputs
Inverter Pnom
Grid Power limit
List of batch simulation parameters
Project Parameters
Meteo Input
Project Site
Simulation Variants
The batch mode executes a set of simulations applying automatic input parameter changes:
Losses
Thermal Model (Uc, Uw)
DC & AC wiring
Soiling
Light Induced Damage (LID)
Mismatch
Incidence Angle Modifier (IAM)
Module quality
Unavailability

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Optimization Scans
Tool for running optimization scans
Automatic parameter generation Integrated visualization
Simplified
batch tool
PVsyst 6.39
Simulation parameters: Tilt, Pitch, Azimuth
Result Variables: Global incident and effective irradiance, DC power, power injected to grid
More parameters and result variables will be added in the future

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Miscellaneous Tools
Carbon balance (CO2) evaluation tool
Tool to study the Incident Angle Modifier (IAM)
IAM curves for different models
Effect on different
irradiance components
Impact on
annual yield
Detailed LCE description
of PV systemDefinition of grid LCE
Fresnel
Fresnel + AR
Sandia
ASHRAE
Custom
Overview and time evolution
of CO2 balance
PVsyst 6.39
Diffuse
Albedo
Direct
Global
Based on CO2 Life Cycle Emissions (LCE)

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Text-based file format
All PVsyst objects will be written in human-readable text files
Example for a shading scene
PVsyst 6.40
Example for a PV module (PAN file)
Better interoperability between different PVsyst Versions
Files can be inspected by users
Opens future possibilities to interface with other applications

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3D Editor and Shadings Calculation
3D editor Based on OpenGL (V6.41)
Background images in 3D editor
Example1: Screenshot from Google Maps Example2: Technical drawing
Tools allow quick
scaling, rotating and
positioning of image
PVsyst 6.40
Makes use of hardware acceleration
Faster rendering
Faster shading calculations

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Battery-Based Systems
Complete overhaul of the simulation for battery-based systems
PVsyst 6.40
On the long term the simulation of hybrid systems will be possible
(grid-connected with battery support)
Simulation and definitions unified with grid-connected approach
Graphical tools for battery control optimization
So far only lead batteries were supported
Adding Batteries and Controllers for Li-Ion technology
Adding Li-Ion systems ( ≥ V6.41)

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Summary and Outlook
– Meteonorm V7.1 has become default built-in meteo source
– Input generation with Clear Sky Model for crosschecks
without irradiance measurement
– Optimizers are supported (Solar Edge, TIGO and AMPT)
– More flexibility with multi-MPPT inverters
– Helios 3D importation expanded to shading objects
– 3D editor with group editing and zone filling
– Tools to compare several yearly meteorological data sets
– Batch Simulations and Optimizations
– Tools to study IAM behavior and CO2 balance
PVsyst 6.39
PVsyst 6.40
– PVsyst objects saved in text-based file format
– 3D Editor and Shadings Calculation based on OpenGL => Improved performance
– Battery-Based Systems synchronized with grid-connected approach
– Li-Ion Batteries and hybrid systems are on the way
Meteo Input
System definitions
3D Shadings Editor
Analysis Tools