Demo projects

Types of Demo Projects

1. Residential

- Purpose: Designed for small-scale residential installations. - Key Features: - Self-consumption: This demo includes scenarios focused on maximizing the use of generated electricity within the household. - Storage self-consumption: Simulates the impact of using battery storage to enhance self-consumption. - Aging losses: Demonstrates the effect of module degradation over time on system performance.

2. Commercial

- Purpose: Suitable for medium to large commercial installations. - Key Features: - Module layout: Optimized layout for commercial rooftops or ground-mounted systems. - Multi-MPPT: Demonstrates the use of multiple Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPT) for optimized energy harvest. - Unbalanced MPPT: Shows the effects of using MPPT in unbalanced configurations. - Aging tool: Includes a detailed analysis tool to estimate performance degradation over time. - Economic evaluation: Provides an economic assessment of the system, including payback period and return on investment (ROI).

3. Utility

- Purpose: For large-scale utility projects. - Key Features: - Storage peak shaving: Simulates the use of battery storage to reduce peak demand. - Storage weak grid: Demonstrates the use of storage to support grid stability in areas with weak grid infrastructure. - Bifacial modules: Includes simulations for bifacial modules that capture sunlight on both sides. - AC circuit: Analysis of AC-side configurations and their impact on system performance. - Power factor: Demonstrates how power factor correction can optimize energy delivery and grid stability. - CO2 balance: Calculates the environmental impact in terms of CO2 emission reductions.

4. Trackers

- Purpose: Focused on systems with solar trackers. - Key Features: - Tracking systems: Simulates the use of single or dual-axis trackers to optimize solar energy capture. - Horizon analysis: Evaluates the impact of the local horizon on system performance. - Mixed orientation: Demonstrates the effect of panels installed at different orientations. - Collines/backtracking: Explains the backtracking algorithms used in tracking systems to avoid shading. - Economic evaluation: Economic analysis specifically for systems using trackers.

How to Use the Demo Projects

1. Selecting a Demo Project:

   • From the PVsyst main menu, navigate to the "Grid-connected" section and select "Demo Projects" from the "Load" button.
   • Choose a demo that matches your project type (Residential, Commercial, Utility, or Trackers).

2. Exploring the Project:

   • Each demo project is pre-configured with relevant parameters. You can explore these parameters by navigating through the different sections, such as System Design, Meteorological Data, Simulation Parameters, and Results Analysis.
   • Modify the parameters to suit your specific project needs and observe how changes affect the system's performance.

3. Running Simulations:

   • After configuring your project, run the simulation to generate detailed reports and analysis. The reports include information on energy production, system losses, economic performance, and environmental impact.

4. Customizing the Demo:

   • Use the demo projects as a template. Save a copy and modify it to reflect your specific project conditions, such as location, module type, inverter specifications, and financial parameters.

The table below outlines the key features and functions available in each of the PVsyst demo projects. Each column represents a different type of PV system—Residential, Commercial, Utility, and Trackers—while the rows list specific features or scenarios, such as self-consumption, storage options, module layout, and economic evaluation. The presence of an "X" indicates that the corresponding feature is included in the demo for that system type. This table serves as a quick reference to help you identify which demo project best suits your needs and which features you can explore within each project.