In the world of solar photovoltaic design, there are efficient tools used in the initial stages of projects. Every project needs information that shows stakeholders that it would be bankable, productive, and in compliance with codes or standards.
In this post, the most widely used solar PV software packages will be discussed.
Why Use Software Tools for Designing Solar PV Plants?
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) plants may seem “simple” in terms of infrastructure design, construction, and even complexity in operation and maintenance. However, that is not the case in many instances.
It is important to know that solar PV systems come in many forms. These include residential, commercial, industrial, and utility. The design complexity would therefore depend on which type, system location, size, point of interconnection, standalone or grid-tied.
In any case, designing solar PV systems demands the use of software tools for many pertinent and obvious reasons.
Engineers, drafters, architects, planners, investors, and project developers use designing software to perform design sets for optimization and project bankability. Shareholders or stakeholders would like to know the energy produced and profitability margins.
It is therefore important to use software packages that significantly produce high accuracy in design and efficient systems that reduce system losses.
Using design tools makes solar PV projects easier and more accurate to develop and deploy.
In this article, I will discuss the top 5 solar PV design tools popularly utilized in the industry. Knowing these tools exist is the first step to becoming proficient. It is advantageous to learn or know one of these if this industry excites you and you plan to get into it.
Top 5 Solar PV Design Software Packages
PVSYST
- PVSyst: PVSyst is one of the most bankable solar PV software tools utilized in the industry. It is widely used by educational institutions for research while engineers and architects use it for industrial purposes. Investors use PVSyst to perform financial feasibility studies of solar PV projects to better understand and make well-informed decisions.
Capabilities of PVSyst
- Use for rooftop, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale solar systems
- It is capable of performing other functions such as standalone systems and pumping
- The most important capability of the software is to evaluate electricity production, system losses, and economic analysis. These studies help project developers, investors, and all stakeholders forecast solar PV system profitability.
You can download a one-month free trial version from the company’s website
Helioscope
- Helioscope: This software is used primarily for commercial & industrial solar PV developers. They provide different usage plans that would meet client demands based on the project nature and services needed.
These plans are the Basic Plan, Pro Plan, and Custom Plan. Find more about these plans here. Aurora is another key solar PV software provider. It has merged with Helioscope. Look up to Aurora as well for residential PV systems.
Capabilities of Helioscope
- Project site modeling and design,
- Bankability simulations
- CAD export functionality
- LIDAR functionality is great for effectively estimating the heights of buildings and trees, and the pitch of roofs. Shading is not a good friend in terms of solar energy production. Losses due to shading should be avoided to yield more energy from the project.
Check out the 14-day free trial version of Helioscope here.
PVSOL
- PVSOL: This software is developed to be used by engineers, planners, or architects to design solar PV systems. The systems supported include It believes solar systems must be designed and done right.
Capabilities of PVSOL
- Accurate predictions
- Detailed proposals
- Financial forecasting
- 3D shading analysis
- Battery storage systems etc.
Learn more about PVSOL key functionalities and the free 30-day trial version here.
RETScreen
- RETScreen: This software is developed by the Canadian Government and many other partners as a tool for reporting greenhouse emissions for all federal departments and relevant agencies.
It has a lot of capabilities with the first released on 4/30/1998. It has so far undergone several upgrades. RETScreen Expert version 9.0 was released on September 29, 2022. The software is used by a broad range of institutions and experts across the world. This includes universities, engineers, and planners among others.
Capabilities of RETScreen Expert
RETScreen Expert delivers many solutions such as:
- Simplify decision-making in energy projects – renewable energy, energy efficiency and cogeneration
- Financial analysis that helps determine if a project is viable and profitable
- Used in commercial (businesses), industrial (factories), residential (individual), or utilities.
- Measure energy performance after project deployment
Learn more about RETScreen Expert at www.retscreen.net
SUNDAT
- SUNDAT: This software tool is built to perform commercial & industrial (C&I) and utility-scale solar PV projects. It is web-based. Simply create an account and sign up for access.
Capabilities of SUNDAT
- Automate layout design
- Energy modeling
- Topography analysis
- Embedded NREL’s System Advisor Model (SAM) for taking into account both technical and economic aspects of the solar system
- File export and sharing in different file formats.
- Voyager solar tracker incorporated into software for projects that use solar trackers
Learn more about SUNDAT here.
Additional Resources
Other solar design software packages are equally good and meet industry standards. You do not need to know all of them to be skilled to work in the solar industry.
Make a choice and use free trial versions to self-demonstrate at least 5 projects with a 30-day trial or 2 projects if the trial days are less than a month.
In this way, you would gain confidence with the software and set yourself ready to have a good conversation in an interview.
Below is a list of other software tools to look up to:
- Homer Energy: Software
- PVWatts: Calculator
- Pylon: solar design & CRM Software
- PVcase: PVcase and trial request
- Photonik: Solar design tool
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