Optimisation and analysis of photovoltaic systems using a computer model

The authors describe how a computer model can be used to optimize and analyze the performance of PV system design taking into account the cost of the components, the worst-case conditions, and the critical loads. The computer model was developed to optimize and analyze the performance of a 50 kWp PV system, consisting of a 50 kWp PV array, two 80 kWh batteries, three 10 kVA self-commutated inverters, and a 50 kVA line-commutated inverter. The model is a collection of programs written in FORTRAN that simulate the PV system operation on an hourly basis. Its inputs are horizontal irradiation, ambient temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and load demand, and the results are output in graphical and statistical format.<<ETX>>