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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 the software includes simple models of loads and storage for grid-connected systems with electric storage batteries.
Component-based Models
The Component-based Models option represents the performance of a photovoltaic system using separate models to represent the performance of the module and inverter. This is in contrast with the PVWatts System Model, which represents the entire system using a single model.
You can choose the Photovoltaic Component-based Models option in the Technology and Market window.
For examples of projects based on the component-based models, 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 component-based models for projects based on residential, commercial, utility financing assumptions, and for a system using concentrating photovoltaic modules (CPV).
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. |
| • | PV Loads: Import a text file of 8,760 hourly load values, or create a load data set using daily load profiles for each month. (Preliminary model for testing.) |
| • | PV Storage: Define a battery storage system. (Preliminary model for testing.) |
PVWatts System Model
The PVWatts System Model represents the entire photovoltaic system using a single model. This is in contrast with the Component-based Models option, which uses separate models to represent the performance of the module and inverter
You can choose the PVWatts System Model option in the Technology and Market window.
For an example of a project based on the PVWatts System Model, 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 one case demonstrating the PVWatts System Model for a residential project.
The PVWatts Performance Model option allows you to use 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 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, or create a load data set using daily load profiles for each month. (Preliminary model for testing.) |
| • | PV Storage: Define a battery storage system. (Preliminary model for testing.) |
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