A new approach to comparing photovoltaic simulation software

ABSTRACT

In this work, a new approach to comparing photovoltaic simulation tools is proposed. It combines so-called cross-validation analysis along with a comparison to measured data from the real PV system. PV*SOL and PVsyst, as two professional tools widely used among PV professionals, are chosen for comparison. Cross-validation was applied to 83 European locations to account for geographical and climate dependence of simulation accuracy. The locations are divided into five groups according to Köppen-Geiger climate classification. Statistics of variation between simulation results are presented. Both seasonal and variations between locations with different climates are studied. The results showed that PVsyst tends to estimate higher plane-of-array radiation, but the difference in estimated energy is smaller. This difference is more pronounced for locations with hot and dry climates. Overall, the difference in monthly values between simulation tools for most locations remains within ±10%. Comparison with measurement was presented for a 5-year operation period of 31 kWp grid-connected PV system installed on the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Naval Architecture in Split, Croatia. Booth tools accurately predicted annual and monthly yield, with nRMSE less than 3.2% for the complete period under study.

KEYWORDS:

• Photovoltaic system
• simulation
• modeling
• comparison
• energy yield

Acknowledgements

Meteorological data used in this study was obtained by the courtesy of Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tihomir Betti

Tihomir Betti is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Split, Croatia. He has more than 20 years of experience in the area of photovoltaics. His current research topics cover PV system performance modelling and evaluation, as well as the influence of various derate factors such as soiling.

Ivan Bevanda

Ivan Bevanda is an Assistant at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Computing and Electrical Engineering, University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is currently pursuing his PhD thesis in the field of photovoltaics from the University of Split, Croatia.

Ivan Marasović

Ivan Marasović is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Split, Croatia. He currently leads an industry-oriented project to improve the stability of the distribution grid by integrating PV systems with battery storage. His main research interest is the reliability of PV systems.

Ivana Zulim

Ivana Zulim is with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Split, Croatia. Her research interest includes numerical methods and their application to modelling photovoltaic devices and systems.