photovoltaic systems أنظمة الطاقة الشمسية
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Planning an Off-Grid Electric System
Planning an Off-Grid Electric System
Off-grid solar systems operate from the stored energy in a battery bank. Solar panels are used to keep a battery bank charged on a daily basis. Some part of the cabin or tiny house electricity loads, during the daytime, will usually end up running directly off the array via the electricity passing across the battery connectors. At night, the inverter is pulling directly off the batteries. Your solar system has to be sized to support your daily loads and replace the stored energy pulled from the batteries on a daily basis.
Defining Your Load
The first step in determining how many solar panels you will need or how big your inverter should be is to figure out how many watts of power you need per day. Since you determine what you are trying to run, and how long each day you want to run the items, the first place you have to start, after reducing your loads, is to determine your daily energy budge or daily loads. You are going to want to reduce your daily energy demands first before you start to calculate your loads because it is cheaper to save energy than to make energy.
All the Parts Needed; Looking at The Whole System
A typical stand-alone system consists of solar panels usually connected in series of 2 or 3 which product DC electricity from the sun. The solar panels are connected to a charge controller which controls the pace at which batteries are recharged which is connected a 24VDC or 48VDC battery bank. You will then need an off-grid inverter to convert the DC (Direct Current) electricity stored in the battery bank to AC (Alternating Current) electricity which is more commonly used in home appliances. (Click on the 2nd sub-tab above "Planning Design & Installation Tips" to learn more.)
Where to Get Started; Cheaper to Save Energy Than to Make Energy
The trick to off-grid living is energy conservation and efficiency. The starting point in planning your system is to first reduce demand. (Need Tips? Click on the 3rd sub-tab above "Off-Grid Living Energy Conservation") Most people in America can easily cut their electricity consumption in half. Reducing your family's energy consumption by conserving and investing in watt saving home lights and efficient appliances means you are putting your money in your pocket and can substantially reduce the amount of off-grid equipment and or battery bank. As you begin your journey towards freedom from the grid, start by conserving as much as possible first. Its always cheaper to save electricity than to generate electricity. Most off-grid generation is used for lighting, appliances like refrigerators and water pumping. Lighting is the easiest to tackle. Don't stop at compact florescent lights, go all the way to LED which can use 1/6th the watt consumption of compact florescent lighting.
The BIG Questions You Need to Answer First:
- List your loads. How many watts per day does your household consume? The most important challenge in an off-grid system is to balance your energy consumption with your supply of energy required. You cannot begin to do that without first knowing how much energy you need each day.
Energy Load Worksheet (Excel)
Energy Load Worksheet
IE: 5 - 13 watt light bulbs X 5 hours per day = 65 watts. 18 CF refrigerator @ 5 amps x 120VAC = 600 watts x 6 hours per day = 3,600 watts. THIS IS IMPORTANT: When we say "list your loads", we mean all your loads. From the cell phone chargers to a hair dryer. Need Help? If you download the Excel worksheet you will only have to indicate how much of each piece of equipment you have and how long your run it.
- Daily energy budget? It is NOT based on a homes sq. ft. It is NOT based on how many people are living in the house. It is based on the equipment or appliances you want to run and how long each day you typically run them. It does not get more individual than that. The amount of energy you and your family consumes each day will vary among individuals habits and personal choices.
- How many days of limited sun do you want to be able to run? (Days of Autonomy) Typical is a minimum of 3 day to 5 days. The more days, the more energy storage required or the bigger the battery bank needed.
- What is the largest load you expect to run (Watts / Amps / Volts IE: 240V Well Pump @ 9.5 Amps)
- Click on the sub-tab above "Planning Design & Installation Tips" directly below the buySafe emblem to learn more
https://www.bluepacificsolar.com/off-grid.html
What's the difference between watts and watt hours?
What's the difference between watts and watt hours?
Watt and watt hours are often interchanged, misused and can be just plain confusing. A watt (W) is a measurement of power which is the rate of electricity that is being generated or consumed. A watt hour (wh) is the same energy over a period of time. A light bulb rated at 20 watts, in 1 hour it will consume 20 wh of energy, and in 5 hours the same light bulb will consume 100 wh of energy. 1 watt hour (wh) = 1 watt of power supplied for 1 hour. Think of watts (w) as the speed you’re running and watt-hours (wh) as the distance you ran. Ok professor, need to go deeper? One joule per second is a measurement of the rate of power flowing. 1 watt is a unit of energy equal to the power of one watt operating for one hour or 3,600 joule's.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Online PROFESSIONAL PV SOFTWARE
Online PROFESSIONAL PV SOFTWARE
POLYSUN Online
Plan and calculate your PV installations easily in a few steps.
Basic simulation is free, optionnal features can be purchased.
EASYSOLAR
EasySolar is a fully functional online platform compatible with advanced EasySolar mobile apps for iOS or Android, easy to use in the office or in the field.
EasySolar can significantly increase your solar sales thanks to:
- better work performance during site visit thanks to measurement tools
- possibility of the project presentation even during the first meeting with client on tablet or smartphone
- better visualisation of PV designs for your client thanks to three design methods
- clear and detailed price quote section and financial analysis
- better cooperation between solar pros thanks to cloud technology and faster projects management
- fast preparation of the project, even in 5 minutes
- detailed customized proposals with company logo, colours and selected sections
Media about EasySolar :
"EasySolar app provides great help in preparation of high quality proposals - not only it boosts customer acquisition but also generates time and money savings for solar companies." PV-magazine.
The price of Easy Solar app starts from 20 euros a month.
If you want to learn more about EasySolar, check the company's Website or watch the video about the software.
FOCUS SOLAR
Focus solar is a satellite-based yield predictor with worldwide solar radiation calculated from MSG, GOES, and MTSAT images by the Heliosat 3 method. Data are available from 2005 onwards, including near real-time data at a resolution of 1 km2.
SOLARDESIGNTOOL
This software available online allows to create PV system designs and accurate panel layouts.
Generate customer design options in minutes, complete with PDF system datasheet, including data from electrical specifications to array layout diagrams.
The SolarCAD feature help to define the Installation area for the solar project only in a few minutes : accurate dimensions, unlimited obstructions, define setbacks, rows, orientation.
The array layout engine quickly determines the most optimal panel layout for the installation area to maximize its solar potential.
The web-based Solar Electric Design platform replaces countless hours of monotonous calculator-and-pen guesswork, with a streamlined user interface that creates optimal systems based on particular requirements.
There is a free version for one month (but you have to give your credit card number), and an expert version with a monthly fee
PVANALYTICS - PVA
PVA provides users the ability to rapidly size grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) systems and simulate accurate hour-by-hour energy production from anywhere on any device. It integrates proprietary cloud technology with NREL's PVWatts algorithm and up-to-date PV equipment data from the California Energy Commission (CEC). Precision and detail are achieved in a dynamic and user-friendly online environment, making PVA the perfect tool for solar industry professionals.
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SOLARGIS - PVPLANNER
Simulation tool forplanning and optimisation of photovoltaic systems using climate and geographic data at high temporal and spatial resolution and newgeneration high performance algorithms.
SOLARMODEL
Solarmodel is an internet platform for designing solar PV installation and for evaluating investment in photovoltaic systems. As an online software, it doesn't require any installation, it works on all operating systems and can be easily accessed using web browsers.
The software is based on WebGL technology therefore Google Chrome is currently the most compatible web browser for this technology.
Solarmodel is currently available in English, Swedish and Polish language.
Full unlimited access to solarmodel.com is free of charge for the first 30 days. After then access it based on a subscription model.
i-Pals WEB
i-Pals WEB is PV simulation software which includes multiple functions as following ;designing layout, designing strings, making estimation, simulating power generation and shadow deterioration, comparing different projects.
Features:
-Obvious comparison of different installation areas.
-High customisability; flexible and speedy.
-All-in-One software which includes design tool and simulation tool.
-Easy Unitary management of projects.
-Detailed settings for module layouts, strings designs.
-Language : english, japanese.
http://photovoltaic-software.com/online-professional.php
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOVOLTAIC SOFTWARES To download
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOVOLTAIC SOFTWARES To download
The softwares below are commercial tools dedicated to the design of PV systems connected to the grid or in remote area. You can get an accurate evaluation of solar photovoltaic panels energy output. All these software must be purchased to be fully functional.
All prices are subject to change without notice.
INSEL
The INSEL toolbox Solar Electricity provides parameters for the simulation of all market-available PV modules and inverters.
Price : 850 EUR
PV SOL (GE)
Dynamic simulation program with 3D visualization and detailed shading analysis of roof-integrated or mounted grid-connected photovoltaic systems.
PV*SOL Expert 6.0 set :1228.00 €
PV*SOL advanced 6.0 : 695.00 €
EASYSOLAR
EasySolar is a fully functional online platform compatible with advanced EasySolar mobile apps for iOS or Android, easy to use in the office or in the field.
EasySolar can significantly increase your solar sales thanks to:
- better work performance during site visit thanks to measurement tools
- possibility of the project presentation even during the first meeting with client on tablet or smartphone
- better visualisation of PV designs for your client thanks to three design methods
- clear and detailed price quote section and financial analysis
- better cooperation between solar pros thanks to cloud technology and faster projects management
- fast preparation of the project, even in 5 minutes
- detailed customized proposals with company logo, colours and selected sections
Media about EasySolar :
"EasySolar app provides great help in preparation of high quality proposals - not only it boosts customer acquisition but also generates time and money savings for solar companies." PV-magazine.
The price of Easy Solar app starts from 20 euros a month.
If you want to learn more about EasySolar, check the company's Website or watch the video about the software.
PVscout 2.0 Premium
PVscout is a PV-sizing software for the planning and calculation of grid-connected photovoltaic systems irrespective of manufacturer.
Features:
- graphical representation and dynamic interconnection of several roofs.
- full range of data irrespective of manufacturer
- solar irradiation data based on high-resolution mean minute values
- calculations of economic efficiency
- Individually compiled presentation of technical details, order, quotation, electrical circuit diagram, DC connection drawing, solar yield and economic efficiency
Price : 474 € + update contract available from €70,00 per year.
PVComplete
Pvcomplete is a software that use Autocad and System Advisor Model Models energy production for your PV design.
Shadow modelling : Draw obstructions and our software will draw in shaded areas for you based on latitude, azimuth and object height.
PV COMPLETE has full module database : Download module data directly from our Cloud database.
Cost estimate : Populate a cost table to generate costed BOM and accurately estimate project costs.
Price : 99 $/month or 999 $/year.
PVSYST (CH)
One of the oldest photovoltaic software, developed by the University of Geneva. PVSYST is designed to be used by architects, engineer and researchers, and it is also a very useful pedagogical tool. It could be considered as the Swiss knife of photovoltaic software.
Main features :
- Full design of remote PV systems
- Full design of PV systems connected to the grid
- Complet database of PV panels, inverters, meteorological data
- Useful 3D application to simulate near shadings
- Import of irradiation data from PVGIS, NASA databases
- Import of PV mules data from PHOTON INTERNATIONAL
- Economic evaluation and payback
- export of calculations to CSV files
- Many tools to simulate the behavior of PV modules and cells according to irradiation, temperature, shadings
Pv syst includes a detailed contextual Help, which explains in detail procedures and models used, and offers an ergonomic approach with guide in development of a project. PVsyst is able to import meteo data from many different sources, as well as personal data.
PVsyst provides results in the form of a full report,
specific graphs and tables, as well as data export for use in other software.
POLYSUN (CH)
SPF - Velasolaris, professsional sizing and simulation of solar photovoltaic systems.
Polysun Professional Photovoltaic Simulation : 399 euros
Polysun Designer Photovoltaic Simulation : 699 Euros
SOLARPRO
The software calculates the amount of generated electricity based on the latitudes, longitudes, and the weather conditions of the installation site. This leads precise simulation results.
Simulation including the shadow influence by surrounding buildings and objects allows users to check optimal settings and module designs before system installation.
The software calculates also the I-V curve of solar modules accurately and quickly based on the electric characteristics of each manufacturer's product.
PLAN4SOLAR PV
The all in one solution for simple and speedy planning and calculation of PV systems, which leaves no wish unfulfilled.
Complete PV system planning.
Comprehensive assembly and connection plan, and all relevant calculations such as inverter design, revenue forecast, profitability calculations taking into account personal use and determining the most appropriate assembly system based on the wind and snow loads calculations in accordance with DIN 1055 and Eurocode 1 or comparable provisions at a country-specific level, and much more.
SOLARIUS PV Free UPP (ACCA Software)
Solarius-PV FreeUPP is the software for solar photovoltaic (grid connected) design and solar PV system efficiency calculation.
- solar PV calculator with step by step design
- graphical input also from CAD
- calculation of the solar PV system efficiency rate
- solar panel shading analysis from a photo
- pv panels: automatic sizing and positioning
- PV inverter: auto sizing
- PV inverters: 3 phase inverters, single phase inverters, multi MPPT inverters)
Free UPP = Free Use Pay Print - Use, updates, training and technical support all completely FREE
Pay only 10 Euro cents for each A4 format page... only if you print!
PV F-CHART (USA)
PV F-CHART is a comprehensive photovoltaic system analysis and design program. The program provides monthly-average performance estimates for each hour of the day. The calculations are based upon methods developed at the University of Wisconsin which use solar radiation utilizability to account for statistical variation of radiation and the load.
HOMER 2 (USA)
HOMER is a computer model that simplifies the task of evaluating design options for both off-grid and grid-connected power systems for remote, stand-alone, and distributed generation (DG) applications. HOMER's optimization and sensitivity analysis algorithms allow the user to evaluate the economic and technical feasibility of a large number of technology options and to account for uncertainty in technology costs, energy resource availability, and other variables.
The Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (CEERE) provides technological and economic solutions to environmental problems resulting from energy production, industrial, manufacturing, and commercial activities, and land use practices.
Price (2014): $398/year
PV-Design-PRO (GE)
PV-DesignPro v6.0 is Windows compatible software designed to simulate photovoltaic energy system operation on an hourly basis for one year, based on a user selected climate and system design.
Three versions of the PV-DesignPro program are included on the Solar Design Studio CD-ROM: "PV-DesignPro-S" for standalone systems with battery storage, "PV-DesignPro-G" for grid-connected systems with no battery storage, and "PV-DesignPro-P" for water pumping systems.
Solar Design Studio Suite : 249 USD
PV Designer Solmetric
PV Designer software enables you to quickly and easily: draw a roof outline, specify set-backs and keep-out regions, incorporate SunEye shade measurements at specific locations on the roof, drag-and-drop modules, size strings, check inverter limits, and calculate the AC energy production for your system.
It includes extensive world-wide databases of modules, inverters, and historical weather. You can easily try different design scenarios and compare their AC kW-hr outputs side-by-side to identify the best design. Results can be exported in a PDF format and printed or emailed to clients. The software is designed for residential and small commercial systems.
Archelios PRO (FR)
This PV software permits to evaluate solar radiation of a site, to design a photovoltaic system and calculate the energy produced and the profitability.
A free version is available without databases.
Base Price : 680 EUR ; 882 USD
HELIOSCOPE
Photovoltaic sizing software programs for grid connected systems.
- Unlimited Designs
- Up to 5MW Systems
- 45,000 Component Library
- One-Click Sharing
- SketchUp Shading Integration
- PAN File Support
- NSRDB/NREL Meteo Integration
HelioScope's design-integrated approach models an array based on its physical design. This leads to advanced modelling of system effects, and enables powerful design and scenario analysis.
For advanced shade calculations, import 3D obstruction models from Sketchup directly into HelioScope. Combine the power of Sketchup for 3D modeling with HelioScope’s simulation engine.
HELIOSCOPE price : 99$/month
HELIOS 3D Solarparkplanung
HELIOS 3D is a professional planning tools for utility scale PV plants.
It allows shadow free placement of PV racks on a digital terrain at any geographical position and at any given date or time.
The workflow supports all phases of the project process :
Project Development : Analysis and evaluation of the terrain, rate of yield
Project Layout : Structuring of the terrain, positioning of PV racks, optimize positioning for maximum yield
Project Engineering : Electric layout, Bill of material, list of GPS coordinates, cable lists.
HELIOS 3D Solar Plant Layout price : 11800 EUR
SOLERGO (IT)
This italian software developed by Electro Graphics Srl is a full tools to compute the solar PV output of a solar photovoltaic system connected to the grid.
Main features :
- - Global and full system definition
- - Shading (close and remote)
- - Photovoltaic generator
- - Inverter configuration
- - Database (inverter, irradiation, pv modules)
- - PV system layout
- - Analysis of consumption
- - Cable sizing calculation
- - Electrical diagram
- - Payback
- - Polluting emissions
- - Economic report
A real advantage of this software is its Interoperability with Ampère Professional an Electrical network calculator to analyse the electrical network of the PV generator (cables, SPD, protection, inverter).
It also Interface with software CADelet, Eplus or iDEA, for the full drawing of the system and its construction details.
SKELION
Skelion, is a Sketchup's plugin to insert solar photovoltaics and thermal components in a surface.
Skelion plugin gives Sketchup the possibility to insert solar panels very fast and make fast renewable solar energy studies.
Includes shadows projection and MAC OS and Windows compatible.
Skelion for SketchUp allows you to :
- Insert 3D models of the solar installation
- Export energy reports automatically from PVWatts (in USA) or PVGis (in EU)
- Use the PV Modules data base or add your own model
- Control the shading angles for any hour of the year
- Load the current location from Google Earth
Exists in version free and pro version (200 USD)
http://photovoltaic-software.com/professional.php
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