Developing Techno-economic GUI-based Software for On-grid, and Off-grid Photovoltaic Systems Sizing

Abstract

The proposed program in this work enables one to calculate the Photovoltaic (PV) array size and battery size for a given load at any place worldwide. The program allows the user to choose either a fixed or tracking system. The program also allows the choice between a stand-alone and a Grid-connected system. The data required are the latitude of the site and the load profile only. For example, the results given in this paper include three sites, Cairo (30 N), London (51.54 N), and Dakar Senegal (14.74 N). The program gives the array size, battery size, system reliability, initial system cost, the Cost per kWh generated, and the economic analysis if the system cost is borrowed from a commercial bank. Compared to available software tools to design PV systems, this work gives good attention to the system's Reliability versus Cost.