Solar advisor models grid-connected photovoltaic systems that consist of a photovoltaic array and inverter. The array can be made up of flat-plate or concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) modules with one-axis, two-axis, or no tracking.
The current version of Solar Advisor includes two options for modeling photovoltaic systems that you specify in the Technology and Market window: SAM Performance Models and PVWatts Performance Model.
For an example of photvoltaic systems, open the sample template Sample PV Systems: On the File menu, click Open Sample Template and select the template from the list. The template contains four cases demonstrating the model's use for projects based on residential, commercial, and utility financing assumptions, and using PVWatts and concentrating photovoltaic models.
The SAM Performance Models option allows you to choose between the Sandia, CEC, and single-point efficiency models for photovoltaic modules, and between the Sandia and single-point efficiency models for inverters. The photovoltaic system input pages for this option described in this section are:
| • | PV System Costs: Define installation and other capital costs, and operation and maintenance costs. |
| • | Array: Define the system's total capacity, number of inverters, array orientation, derating factors, and radiation model options. |
| • | Module: Choose the performance model and define characteristics of a single module. |
| • | Inverter: Choose the performance model and define characteristics of a single inverter. |
The PVWatts Performance Model option allows you to Solar Advisor's implementation of NREL's web-based PVWatts model. This implementation includes a preliminary test versions of models for loads and battery storage designed for investigations the potential benefits of including storage in a grid-connected project that benefits from time-of-use electricity pricing. (The storage and battery models are not available with the SAM Performance Models option.) The system input pages for the PVWatts option described in this section are:
| • | PV System Costs: Define installation and other capital costs, and operation and maintenance costs. |
| • | PV Loads: Import a text file of 8,760 hourly load values. (Preliminary model for testing.) |
| • | PV Storage: Define a battery storage system. (Preliminary model for testing.) |
