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    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENGINEERING RESEARCH, DINDIGUL

    Volume 1, No 3, 2010

    Copyright 2010 All rights reserved Integrated Publishing Association

    REVIEW ARTICLE ISSN - 0976-4259

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    Investigation of Solar Photovoltaic Simulation SoftwaresMahendra Lalwani, Prof. Mool Singh

    Department of Electrical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology,Jaipur, India.

    [email protected]

    ABSTRACT

    This paper presents the scenario of the available Photovoltaic (PV) simulation softwares tilldate. Some programs are specifically designed for photovoltaic applications and some includeadditional renewable energy simulation features. An extensive worldwide search was madefor providing diagnosis of photovoltaic simulation softwares. The identified simulationsoftwares were evaluated according to the following general criteria:

    C1 their Commercial availability and cost;C2 their working platform;C3 their working capacities;C4 their scopes and outputs;C5 their updatability.

    Keywords: Simulation, Sensitivity Analysis, Meteorological parameters, Roof-integratedsystems.

    1. Introduction

    Simulation modeling and analysis is becoming increasingly popular as a technique forimproving or investigating process performance. Simulation has got a lot of applications intodays world scenario i.e. in the area of health care, computer and communication system,manufacturing and material handling system, automobile industry, Logistics andTransportation system, Service system, Military and Scheduling. Since simulation is a maintool for modeling and analysis so technology advancement is occurring in this field. Recentadvances in simulation methodologies, availability of software, and technical developmentshave made simulation one of the most widely used and accepted tools in system analysis andoperation research. Hence market contains a continuously increasing number of simulationsoftware products. The reach of simulation has become wide because the softwares arebecoming cheap as well as containing easy to learn languages. Thats the reason why, market

    contains specific simulation software for a specific task [Verma et al., 2008]. In the field ofSolar PV system, if one is to design stand alone PV system, then there will be separatesimulation software for corresponding task as par the requirement of the users.

    There are twelve major types of softwares for simulating Solar PV System these areRETScreen, PV F-Chart, SolarDesignTool, INSEL, TRNSYS, NREL Solar Advisor Model ,ESP-r 11.5, PVSYST 4.33, SolarPro, PV DesignPro-G, PV*SOL Expert, HOMER and manyothers available are DDS-CAD PV, Polysun , APOS photovoltaic StatLab , PV Designer,SolarNexus ,Valentin Software, PV Cost Simulation Tool, NREL's In my Backyard ,SolmetricIPV, Solmetric Suneye, Blue Oak Energy and Solar Pro Magazine's Solar Select,

    Seneca Software & Solar, Inc., Sombrero, PV Potential Estimation Utility,Horizon ,Panorama master, METEONORM, GOSOL, Shadows, Shadow Analyser, SPYCE,

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    ECOTECT, Tetti FV, Kerychip, PV Professional, Pvcad, Meteocontrol etc. [16][17].Thedesirable features of PV Simulation software include consideration of Hardware and software,Simulation Capabilities, Modelling capabilities and Input Output issues.

    In this paper we present the major simulation software, available in the market for SolarPhotovoltaic system and also discuss features of these products on the basis of abovementioned five evaluation criteria of simulation software[Law and McComas, 1994; Tiba andBarbosa,2001].

    2. Available Solar PV Simulation Softwares

    The twelve major Solar PV simulation softwares are presented in table 1, followed by theirdeveloping institutions, their cost and their website. Table 1 is created on the basis of criteria

    for including these twelve softwares as major tools. The Criteria are: the usefulness of thetool for analysis of energy systems in context of sustainable development; publicallyavailability of a reasonable amount of documentation for the software; the flexibility of thetool containing wide range applications. The detailed description of all softwares forsimulating Solar PV system, along with the criteria of selecting simulation software isfollowed further.

    Table 1: Major Softwares for PV Simulation in the world Market

    Software Name Manufacturer/Developing

    Institution

    Cost/ License Website

    RETScreen Natural Resources Canada Free of Charge www.retscreen.net

    TRNSYS University of Wisconsin,Madison, US

    $2100 for educationaluse

    http://sel.me.wisc.edu/trnsys/

    HOMER National Renewable EnergyLaboratory, USA

    Free of Charge www.nrel.gov/homer

    INSEL Insel Company, Germany 1700 Euro for fullversion; 85 Euro for

    full version for students

    http://www.insel.eu

    PV F-Chart University of Wisconsin,Madison, US

    $400 for single user,$600 for educationalsite

    http://www.fchart.com/

    NREL SolarAdvisorModel(SAM)

    National Renewable EnergyLaboratory, Washington

    Free https://www.nrel.gov/analysis/sam/background.html

    PVsyst Institute of EnvironmentalSciences (ISE), University

    of Geneva, Switzerland

    900 CHF for onemachine license; 150

    CHF for additionalmachines

    http://www.pvsyst.com/5.2/index.php

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    Figure 1: Five step standard analysis using RETScreen

    2.2 TRNSYS

    TRNSYS, is a commercially available simulation program, evolved in 1975.Thissoftware is the outcome of international collaboration of the United States, France, andGermany till now. TRNSYS alleviates the accession of mathematical models, thepotentialities of the multi zone building model, the usable add-on components, able to portwith other simulation programs. It is one of the most pliable energy simulation softwarepackages. The user stipulates a system description language to specify the components thatconstitute the system and the manner in which they are connected.C1 Commercial availability and cost: $2100 for educational use.C2 Working platform: All versions of Windows and Windows emulators.C3 Working capacities: TRNSYS is utile for analysis of control schemes, electric powersimulation, solar design, building thermal performance, HVAC analysis and sizing, multizone

    airflow analysis etc. TRNSYS can be accommodated for elaborated analysis of any system,having a behavior dependent on the passage of time. It contains a special library ofcomponents to simulate renewable energy-based power generation: PV systems, batteries,wind turbines, fuel cells. Figure 2 presents the Dynamic Display of Scope Components in theSimulation Studio of TRANSYS [5].C4 Scopes and outputs: It contains an open ended output.C5 Updatability: Yes. Latest update of TRANSYS (TRNSYS 17) was released in July 2010.

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    Figure 2: Dynamic Display of Scope Components in the Simulation Studio of TRANSYS

    2.3 HOMER

    HOMER models for distributed generation (DG) systems - both on and off-grid.HOMER's algorithms for optimization and sensitivity analysis, accounts for variations in

    technology costs and energy resource availability and also evaluates the economic andtechnical feasibility of a large number of technology options. This computer model wasoriginally designed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the village powerprogram and now licensed to HOMER Energy.C1 Commercial availability and cost: HOMER v2.80 is of $99 for a six-month license.HOMER 2.68 is free of charge.C2 Working platform: All versions of Windows and Windows emulators, such as Parallelsfor the Macintosh.C3 Working capacities: HOMER helps in reducing the challenges of designing of hybridmicro power systems. Their designing can be composite and intriguing because of numerousdubieties and the variability of renewable power sources. For this the system designers

    compare multiple constellations over the life of the system, and model diverse unpredictableparameters such as fuel termses or changes in load. HOMER contains a very powerfulcomputation engine as well as a logical and intuitive interface. That's why it can simulatethousands of system constellations in a trice and optimize for life cycle costs. This softwareposes no difficulty for professionals and non-engineers likewise to master. HOMER performsthree basic types of analysis: Sensitivity analysis, Optimization, Simulation (Figure 3) [6].C4 Scopes and outputs: HOMER simplifies the task of evaluating design options for remote,stand-alone and distributed generation applications. It models a trice range of conventionaland renewable energy technologies. Power sources that can be modeled include: solarphotovoltaics (PV), wind turbines, run-of-river hydro power, diesel, gasoline, biogas,alternative, co-fired and custom-fueled generators, electric utility grids, micro turbines, and

    fuel cells. Storage options include: battery banks and hydrogen .

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    C5 Updatability: Yes. An updated version of the HOMER (HOMER 2.81) was released onApril 21, 2008.

    Figure 3: HOMER: In seconds, a sensitivity analysis compares multiple optimizations, eachof which simulates hundreds of hybrid energy systems, for every hour of the year

    2.4 INSEL

    INSEL is a graphical programming language for the common objectives. In principleINSEL is capable to unravel any problem of computer simulation. It provides contemporaryfunctions as blocks for the simulation of meteorological data, electrical and thermal energyconstituents, which can be adjoined to a concrete answer of a simulation problem. To

    understand, plan, monitor, and visualize energy systems, INSEL works as a modularsimulation environment [7].C1 Commercial availability and cost: Euro 1700 for full version; Euro 85 for full versionfor students; Euro 850 for universities, research institutes and other public bodies.C2 Working platform: Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.C3 Working capacities: Simulation models can be contrived from existing blocks in thegraphic editor HP VEE with a few mouse clicks. INSEL provides a programming interfacefor the annex of the block library. It endures with databases for photovoltaic modules,inverters, thermal collectors and meteorological parameters. The simulation of systems likeon-grid PV generators with MPP tracker and inverter is represented in Figure 4 [7].Convenient user interfaces are accredited to intricate simulation operations .

    C4 Scopes and outputs: The application fields of INSEL contain a variety of graphical andnumerical outputs either built-in or user defined. It covers solar irradiance simulation,photovoltaic and solar thermal applications. Requiring distinctive parts of a PV system i.e.optimum PV module parameters and recommended models, annual yield energy output,efficiency comparisons of fixed, 1-axis tracking, and 2-axis tracking and efficiency gains orlosses for tilted fixed angles, IV curves, cell temperature distribution and the accord effect onthe performance of the cell, array, and plant.C5 Updatability: Yes. An updated version of the INSEL (INSEL version 8.0.1) was releasedon October 27, 2010.

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    Figure 4: Grid connected PV generator with MPP tracker and inverter

    2.5 PV F-Chart

    PV F-CHART is an inclusive photovoltaic system analysis and design program. PV

    F-CHART accommodates monthly-average performance calculation for each hour of the day.The methods employed in calculation elucidate statistical variation of radiation and the loadusing solar radiation usefulness.C1 Commercial availability and cost: $400 for single user, $600 for educational site.

    C2 Working platform: Microsoft Windows.C3 Working capacities: The software Comprises of weather data for over 300 locations andis able to include additional weather data. It can model utility interface systems, batterystorage systems, and stand-alone systems. The features of the software are fast execution,hourly load profiles for each month, statistical load variation, buy/sell cost differences, time-of-day rates for buy/sell, life-cycle economics with cash flow and monthly parametervariation (Figure 5) [8]. It includes fixed, 1-axis, and 2-axis tracking as well as concentrators

    tracking options [8].C4 Scopes and outputs: Energy production and savings, system performance results,efficiency, load, economics summary, life cycle costs, equipment costs, initial investments,solar fraction costs, GHG emission reductions for various energy efficient and renewableenergy technologies, financial viability and risk for central-grid, isolated-grid and off-gridphotovoltaic (solar electric) projects. The outputs can be obtained in both English and SIunits for graphical and numerical outputs.C5 Updatability: Yes.

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    Figure 5: Monthly System Performance summary

    2.6 NREL Solar Advisor Model (SAM)

    The System Advisor Model (SAM) is a performance and economic model. It Runs onTRNSYS engine. It fosters using a consistent methodology for analysis athwart all solartechnologies, including financing and cost assumptions. The purpose of designing this modelis to expedite decision making for people associated with industries of renewable energy.SAM reinforces the development of program priorities and direction and also the consecutiveinvestment required to support solar R&D activities. It is preferred to use the SAM softwarealong with technology and cost benchmarking and market penetration analysis (Figure 6) [9].The gamut of the software covers project managers and engineers as well as incentiveprogram designers, technology developers and researchers.C1 Commercial availability and cost: Free of Charge.C2 Working platform: Windows 2000 (or later) and/or Intel-based Macintoshes.C3 Working capacities: SAM uses a systems-driven approach (SDA) and Solar EnergyTechnologies Program (SETP) technology. SDA bridges the market requirements with R&Defforts. It evaluates the specificity of R&D improvements and its augmentation to the overallsystem cost and performance. SDA is very useful for efficient resources allocation. SAMevaluates several types of financing and a variety of technology-specific cost models fornearly all technologies. The SETP technologies currently represented in SAM includeConcentrating Solar Power parabolic trough and dish-Stirling systems and also photovoltaicflat plate and concentrating technologies. Total installed cost, the sum of direct and indirect

    costs, is used to calculate the levelized cost of energy in SAM [9].

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    C4 Scopes and outputs: Levelized cost of electricity, system capital and operating andmaintenance costs, system energy output, peak and annual system efficiency and hourlysystem production.

    C5 Updatability: Yes. Updated on November 9, 2010, SAM Version 2010.11.9 is the mostcurrent version.

    Figure 6: SAM: Screen shot

    2.7PVsyst

    PVsyst is appropriate for grid-connected, stand-alone, pumping and DC-grid systems.It is a PC software package for the study, sizing, simulation and data analysis, directed forarchitects, engineers and researchers, enduring quite beneficial tools for academia. The newPVsyst Version 5.0 facilitates a multi language interface (English, French, German, Spanishand Italian) [10].C1 Commercial availability and cost: 900 CHF for one machine license; 150 CHF foradditional machines.C2 Working platform: Windows 7, Vista, XP (older versions of Windows NT, 98, 95), 32-

    bits and 64-bits processors, MAC OSX and Linux with a virtual machine running Windows32-bits.C3 Working capacities: PVsyst proposes multiple objects to illustrate shading parametersand admits multiple bug fixes from versions previous to version 5.3. The latest version hasthe capability to define multiple PV fields and simulate PV systems with assorted directions.It contains 3 choices for the user: Preliminary design; Project design and Tools (Figure 7)[10]. Preliminary design is an easy and fast tool, allowing for grid, stand-alone or pumpingsystem pre-sizing. This enacts a preliminary economic evaluation and yields the PV-systemcomponent sizes, assesses the monthly production and performances. Project design partenacts detailed simulation in hourly values, appending an expert system, to elucidate the PV-field and to select the right components. Tools include the meteo database management, with

    graphical displays or tables of data and components management. PVsyst includes a directlink for importing more than 1,750 PV modules, 650 inverters, nearly 100 solar pumps and

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    dozens of batteries or regulator models from the PHOTON database with custom updates[10].C4 Scopes and outputs: Numerous graphs of the component's behavior; electrical PV-array

    behavior under partial shadings, mismatch or double-orientation; quick meteo calculations ontilted planes, with horizon, sheds or sun-shields shadings; clear sky irradiation yields on tiltedplanes; hourly meteo plots, and calculations of irradiation on tilted planes, also with on-graphcomparison with clear day model; extensive output of solar geometry ; transposition factorplots, for plane orientation optimization; generation of meteo hourly synthetic files frommonthly values; operating voltage optimization tool [10].C5 Updatability: Yes. Latest version (PVsyst 5.30) released on 30 November, 2010.

    Figure 7: PVsyst: Screen shot

    2.8 SolarDesignTool

    SolarDesign tool designs solar electric grid-tied systems online. In two different waysit creates a PV system design. First method is for the user to supply a few basic design andsite parameters and the second method is for creating a system by using System Builder. Inthe first method the user selects a few of the generated configurations, compares them, andthen saves one or more of them to a project. In the second method, the user specifies thedetails of each array configuration. The tool then generates a list of all possible systemconfigurations for those parameters [11].C1 Commercial availability and cost: Free version available and an expert version with amonthly fee.

    C2 Working platform: Windows.

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    C3 Working capacities: Generate System Designs, String Sizing, System comparison,Array Layout Design [11].C4 Scopes and outputs: SolarDesign tool gives its output in the form of a system

    comparison table. System comparison table is a summary report of the system. The reportincludes: STC DC, PTC DC and CEC output of array; number, model names and specs forinverters and modules; area of array, dimensions of each roof face, array layout and distancesof each row of modules; record low temperature and average high temperature of installationsite; maximum AC output current; basic schematics of the roof (including length and widthdimensions of the roof faces and layouts). This tool outputs the list of all possible systemcompositions for supplied design parameters [11].C5 Updatability: No.

    2.9ESP-r 11.5ESP-r is an integrated energy modelling tool. It simulates thermal, visual and acoustic

    performance of buildings and the energy use and gaseous emissions. ESP-r simulatesactuality at the best. The level of simulation is congenial with current best practice. UsingESP-r designer can analyze the intricate relationships between a building's form, fabric, airflow, plant and control, by concurrently directing all facets. ESP-r is a finite volume,conservation based approach, having problem converted into a set of conservation equations.The conservation equations are then integrated, in reaction to climate, occupant and controlsystem persuades at subsequent time-steps [12].C1 Commercial availability and cost: Free of Charge/ Open Source.C2 Working platform: UNIX operating system, with supported implementations for Solaris,

    Linux (Sun, Ubuntu, etc.), OSX 10.5 and 10.6. Windows in the Cygwin environment, or innative Windows (XP Vista).C3 Working capacities: Around a central Project Manager a simulator, variousperformance assessment tools and a variety of third party applications for CAD, visualization,report generation and support databases are designed. Building geometry can be specified viaCAD tools, in-built CAD facilities or click-on-grid or image. ESP-r supports a buildingrepresentation of erratic intricacy [12].C4 Scopes and outputs: Simulation results can be viewed in many different ways usinginteractive results analysis module. It endeavors a variety of performance evaluations andprobes the inter play among assessment domains. The models can be exported to otherassessments tools such as EnergyPlus, Radiance or VRML worlds. Users can use idealized

    environmental controls for early design-stage explorations. The gamut of analysis is basicallyunrestricted and data can be exported to other analysis and graphing tools. Tools accredit theconstruction of an integrated performance view. This view abridges performance over agamut of relevant criteria.C5 Updatability: Yes. Latest version (ESP-r 11.9) released on 25 June 2010.

    2.10 SolarPro

    Four basic functions are the major parts of Solar Pro; these are shade, I-V curve,Power and Financial Analysis (Figure 8) [13]. The effect of shade from any object can befigured out from the shade function, so as to obtain the optimal settings and design for

    corresponding module. Using the electric characteristic for any product of any company thesystem assays the I-V curve of solar cell modules precisely and immediately. The software

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    computes the precise result in terms of amount of electricity generated, for the same it usesthe location of the solar cell: latitude, longitude, and condition of the atmosphere. Using thedata from power calculation and input data of system cost, it quickly determines the

    prerequisite information on financial analysis [13].C1 Commercial availability and cost: $1,900 for educational use (as on July 31, 2008).C2 Working platform: Windows 98, NT, 2000, Me or XP.C3 Working capacities: Solar Pro is suitable nearly for all type of simulations for solarelectric power system. Solar Pro allows figuring out solar power over arrays, to which can beemployed geophysics and location of array. It also figures out various shadows on arraysprecisely. Other functional characteristic are defining inverters and analysis of low-coefficient, a persuasive way to get more essential data, and create graphs and reports. Theprogram has a novel self-regulating stand tool for precise stand placement and multiple layersfor electrical schematics. SolarPro's other significant feature is the presentation, a simple usefor working with animation (such as animated shadow, activated calculations etc) [13].C4 Scopes and outputs: It provides its output in form of I-V curve, power generation, andlife cycle analysis.C5 Updatability: Yes. Presently version 3.0 is running (Version 3.1 is also available afterfew corrections).

    Figure 8: Shade, I-V curve, Power and Financial Analysis (respectively) in Solar pro

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    2.11 PV DesignPro-GPV-DesignPro software is designed to simulate photovoltaic energy system operation

    for one year on an hourly basis. The simulation is based on climate and system designselected by the user. Three versions of the PV-DesignPro program are available: "PV-DesignPro-S" for standalone systems with battery storage, "PV-DesignPro-G" for grid-connected systems with no battery storage, and "PV-DesignPro-P" for water pumpingsystems. It is a suite of Windows 95, 98, and NT software.C1 Commercial availability and cost: $249.00 for Solar Design Studio CD-ROM.C2 Working platform: Windows Vista and Windows 7.C3 Working capacities: PV-DesignPro is well suited for professional PV system designersand researchers as well as for the rookie designers to appraise system designs. Intend of theprograms are to aid in photovoltaic system design by rendering: precise and exhaustiveinformation on likely system power output and load consumption; essential backup powerthroughout the operation of the system and the financial encroachments of installing theproposed system. In Figure 9 & 10 [14] the climate windows and charts are shown, whichcould be selected by the users.C4 Scopes and outputs: The outputs incurred using PV-DesignPro are: Solar Fractioncharts by month of the year; battery states of charge by month; annual performance table ; anannual energy cost analysis based on costs of purchased energy and sold PV energy; Chartscover every hour of the year and include: battery SOC; battery voltage; solar radiation on ahorizontal surface; solar radiation on the array; load and backup watts; panels efficiency;panel cell temperature; angles of incidence; slope angle and the azimuth angle A lifecyclecost analysis based on system cost, costs of backup energy, prices of sold energy,

    maintenance and replacement costs and the estimated life of the system. A rate of return iscalculated in terms of overall price per kWh of the system and pay back years.C5 Updatability: Yes. Version 6.0 is the latest released on 14 August, 2010.

    Figure 9: Climate Selection Windows Figure 10: Climate daily charts

    2.12 PV*SOL Expert

    PV*SOL Expert is useful to visualize all roof-parallel and roof-integrated systems andto calculate shading on the basis of 3D objects. It incorporates up to 2,000 modules in 3D.The 3D menu navigation contains four sections that are: terrain view, building view, modulecoverage, and module configuration. For the possible shading objects, positioned on the

    terrain or the building, PV*SOL Expert computes the on an average frequency of themodules shadowed by the objects and shows the result in graphical form. For elaborated

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    information on shadows cast at various times of the day and year, consequently on likelyreductions in yield, the result can be visualized in 3D mode.C1 Commercial availability and cost: Euro 1228, 00for single license; Euro 2456, 00 for

    20 licenses at educational institutes.C2 Working platform: Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and Windows 7.C3 Working capacities: The PV*SOL Expert carries out a 3D visualization of PV systemswith shade calculation based on 3D objects. For optimizing module configuration (Figure 11),user selects the modules and then the modules are configured along with the inverters. Theprogram mechanically configures the individual strings. User can optimize the allocationdepending on the shading position [15].C4 Scopes and outputs: PV*SOL Expert has easy to use configuration of modules withinverters. It facilitates the visualization of annual irradiation reduction for each point of thePV area as well as the optimization of PV module coverage and configuration correspondingto the shading position. It has automatic and manual PV module roof coverage and takesaccount of restricted areas also. It outputs the simulation of shading in 10 minute intervalsand yield simulation takes account of the precise shading ratio for each module. Animatedvisualization of the course of shade can be obtained at any point in time.C5 Updatability: Yes. An updated version of PV*SOL Expert (PV*SOL Expert 4.5 R1) wasreleased on 7, July 2010.

    Figure 11: Optimizing module configuration

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    3.ConclusionIn the world Market, there is an apparent extent of software programs available for

    analyzing solar photovoltaic systems, either commercially available or not. All describedsoftwares own some prominent parts. Approximately all construed softwares are updated,have a user-friendly interface, complete general modeling, and have undergone a reasonableexperimental validation. Solar PV software simulators on the market are designed withdifferent goals in mind, and have various limitations for solving certain problems. Thedesirable features of softwares for manufacturing simulation depend on the purpose of theiruse. Each software works in its specific area of application, for Solar PV system. This paperwill be helpful to the user, in selecting precise software for a particular job, as a Solar PVSimulation tool.

    References

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    2. Tiba C. and BarbosaE. M. de S.,2001, Softwares for designing, simulating or providingdiagnosis of photovoltaic water-pumping systems, Renewable Energy, 25(1), pp 101-11.

    3. Verma Rajesh, Gupta Ashu and Singh Kawaljeet, 2008, Simulation Software Evaluationand Selection: A Comprehensive Framework, Journal of Automation and SystemEngineering, 2(4), pp 1-13.

    4. Details and Five step standard analysis using RETScreen, www.retscreen.net, accessedon 2

    nd

    October, 2010.5. Details and Dynamic Display of Scope Components in the Simulation Studio of

    TRANSYS, http://sel.me.wisc.edu/trnsys, accessed on 4th October, 2010.6. Details and three basic types of analysis in HOMER, www.nrel.gov/homer, accessed on

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    12.Details of ESP-r 11.5, http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/Programs/ESP-r.htm, accessed on27th October, 2010.

    13.Details and four basic functions of Solar Pro, http://www.lapsys.co.jp, accessed on 29 thOctober, 2010.

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    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENGINEERING RESEARCH, DINDIGUL

    Volume 1, No 3, 2010

    Copyright 2010 All rights reserved Integrated Publishing Association

    REVIEW ARTICLE ISSN - 0976-4259

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    16.The Basic information of Solar PV Simulation Softwares, http://www.appropedia.org,accessed on 14th November, 2010.

    17.The software tools and databases that are useful for sustainable energy analysis,http://www.energycommunity.org, accessed on 27th November, 2010.

    18.World wide available PV Softwares, http://www.pvresources.com/en/software.php,accessed on 6th December, 2010.