ABSTRACT
Version 3.0 of PVSYST has been developed by the University of Geneva in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in the framework of IEA Task VII "Photovoltaics in the Built Environment" of the PVPS program (Photovoltaic Power Systems). PVSYST is a sizing, simulation and analysis tool for grid-connected, stand-alone and DC-grid photovoltaic systems. It offers a three levels approach: "Preliminary Design" for quick pre-sizing of PV systems (monthly data based), "Project Design" for complete sizing and design (hourly detailed simulation), and "Tools" which proposes a deep validation process of measured data on existing systems. This level also includes the PV components and meteo database management, with a comprehensive description of each components behaviour, as well as general solar energy tools (solar geometry, PV-array behaviour under partial shadings or mismatch, etc.) In the "Project Design" part an expert system guides the user in the layout definition of the PV-array and system, taking the component operating conditions into account This level also includes a 3D CAO tool for partial shading studies. PVSYST also performs an economic evaluation of the defined system, in any currency.
