Validating the Credibility of Photovoltaic Systems Simulation Tools with a Case Study

Abstract

In this study, a photovoltaic system with an installed power of 10 kWp, which was built on the roof of a school cafeteria in Gümüşhacıköy district of Amasya, was modeled using the PVsyst software and PVSOL software. The real-life data of the system and the production data calculated from the software used were compared. While the actual total electricity production data of this photovoltaic system for 2021 was determined as 12.473 MWh, this value was obtained as 12.912 MWh using PVsyst software and 13.556 MWh using PVSOL software. While there was a 3.40% difference between the estimated production value and the real-life data with the PVsyst software, it was determined that there was a 7.99% difference between the estimated production value and the actual production value of the system as a result of the simulation made with PVSOL. From the production estimates made with two different simulation software, it was seen that the PVsyst software gave results closer to the real-life data.