COMPARISON BETWEEN PV PACKAGES SOFTWARE AND REAL PV PLANT PERFORMANCE
Date
2026-05-12
Authors
Mohanad Shalalfeh
Baha Qafesheh
Sameer Khader
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Deanship of Scientific Research - Al-Quds University
Abstract
Background: The growing demand for sustainable and clean energy has driven significant investments in photovoltaic (PV) systems. To ensure technical and financial feasibility, simulation software tools such as (PVsyst, HOMER Pro, SAM, etc...) are widely used to estimate energy production before installation. However, discrepancies between simulated and actual performance have been observed, leading to uncertainty in project evaluation and investment decisions.
Objectives: Our project focuses on finding the perfect and more accurate PV software that can be used for projects, research, and to predict the power production from PV module.
Methods: The project includes data collection from real plants with a one-year age minimum, simulating this data in simulation software, and using comparison tools to provide the most reliable software. SAM and PVsyst are good software to be reliable, and together is more powerful
Improving the efficiency, productivity, and financial reporting of future projects by determining the most appropriate and accurate solar energy simulation programs, and this comparison depends on indicators (total production energy, total DC power, losses, monthly energy production, not limited to it only), which also help in reducing carbon emissions.
Make a comparison between design programs (PVsyst, Homer Pro, and SAM (System Advisor Model )) on previously established projects that are at least one year old, and based on the simulation results and actual results indicators: average energy =production, irradiation, losses, monthly energy production, and not limited to it only. Depending on this, the efficiency of the programs is determined. After summing the scores for each software. Determining which software is suitable to use now is important. Each software has passed in category and failed in another one