Analysing the Performance of Large-Scale Rooftop Solar PV System Using Helioscope, PVsyst and PV*SOL Photovoltaic Simulation Software: As a Renewable Energy Strategy

Abstract

In Malaysia, government initiatives and policymakers play significant role in creating effective strategies aiming at enhancing the usage of residential, industrial and commercial solar PV systems. However, the most significant barrier to the widespread adoption of photovoltaic (PV) systems is their high installation costs; as a result, numerous studies on PV system modification are now being conducted. Several simulation tools are available for the efficient and extensive integration of solar energy. To predict energy output using climate data and assess performance ration in accordance, such software can be optimized in terms of parameters like PV module number, inverter, tilt angle, and module design structure. The accuracy of these figures fluctuates, though, because climate factors affect how productive photovoltaic systems are. In this current paper, the simulation and design of a 6.9 MW solar power plant in University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, have been investigated using three popular software PVsyst v5.06, Helioscope and PV*SOL. This study's main objective is to assess the potential of solar renewable energy sources to produce electrical energy under the Supply Agreement of Renewable Energy (SARE) program using flexible solar system design modelling tools, PVsyst, Helioscope, and PV *SOL. The comparison results showed that Helioscope and PVsyst are considered to be the most dependable software. PVsyst appraised the definite energy production cost with lowermost relative error of 0.12 % and Helioscope estimated performance ratio with lowest relative error of 4.74%. In terms of energy losses, environmental element contributing to the most energy losses where PVsyst recorded 11.1% photovoltaic (PV) loss caused by irradiation and temperature changes. Whereby Helioscope clearly shows that environmental power loss of 8.4% represents the largest portion caused by irradiation and temperature changes. PV*SOL recorded an energy loss of 7.3% due to shading, temperature and reflection on module interface.