Introduction
SERENDI-PV focused on improving photovoltaic (PV) system yields by integrating innovative software tools that aid in the design, analysis, and optimization of PV systems. This document provides an overview of the software tools made available by various partners, describes the process by which information was collected. Some of the versions of these tools are published as demos on the SERENDI-PV platform.
Developers of software are invited to complete this list with their own solutions and as of now can contribute by answering the following survey : https://forms.gle/skvqgJNiP7Qnu3KfA
Software Tools Overview
The SERENDI-PV platform features a range of software tools designed to support different aspects of PV system development. Below is an overview of the key characteristics provided by the partners:
| General information | Features | Environment | Definition of the PV system | Performance modelling | Uncertainty analysis | Economics | Features – Exports | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Category | Last update | Software publisher | Country | Commercialisation mode | Source code | Languages | Grid-connected projects | Self-consummption | Offgrid projects | Pumping | Horizon mask | Terrain | Surroundings | Meteo | Imports | 3D modelling of the PV plant | Modules database | Inverters database | Modules/Inverters sizing | Cabling design | Trackers | Imports | Simple 2D (no shadings) | Simple 2D (infinite row shadings) | Shadings from 3D model | PV performance model | Spatial resolution | Temporal resolution | Bifacial modelling | Imports | PXX | Profitability analysis (NPV, IRR, LCOE) | Report | Layout | Single line diagram | Other |
| Archelios PRO | Online | 2024 | Trace Software International | France | Annual subscription | Proprietary | 10 | Yes | Yes Collective self-consumption in development | Yes | Yes | Automatic | SRTM data worldwide Digital Terrain Model from IGN in France | Digital Surface Model from IGN in France 3D modelling in Sketchup (plugin) Simplified online 3D modeler | Data from Meteonorm embedded Import of many formats possible (monthly data and TMY) | Meteo : Import of many formats possible (monthly data and TMY), PVGIS webservice Horizon file import | Yes, in Sketchup, Revit or in online 3D editor Automatic layout of tables of modules | Yes | Yes | Proposal of valid configurations; check of validity indicators | Yes, definition of the cabling between the modules | Yes, 1 axis Hz | Import project files from K2 Base and SMA Sunny Design | Yes | No | Yes | Equivalent circuit 1 or 2 diode | Module | Hourly | 2D View Factor (3D VF in development) | Import of load profiles (self-consumption studies) | Yes – normal distributions | Yes | Yes, PDF and csv formats | Yes: geojson, dxf, kml formats | Yes: PDF, dxf, png formats | a3d: archelios PRO proprietary format arcsol: proprietary format for archelios CALC (electrical sizing according to IEC and french standards) |
| TRIFACTORS | Stand-alone | 2024 | CEA | France | None | Proprietary | English | Yes | No | No | No | Import | ? | ? | GHI and Tamb timeseries | xls, csv, mat files | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Equivalent circuit 1 or 2 diode | Defined by user | Sub-hourly | 2D View Factor | Flash test of module | No | No | Yes, mat and csv formats | Yes, mat files | No | |
| ASPIRE | Stand-alone | 2023 | CEA | France | Lifetime licence | Proprietary | English | Yes | No | No | No | NA | NA | NA | NA | IRT and RGB images | No | No | No | NA | NA | No | module datasheet | No | No | No | NA | Cell | NA | NA | No | No | Yes, csv file | on tool interface | NA | location of defect, type of deect, power loss | |
| ProSzier | Online | 2024 | MyLight150 | France | Free | Proprietary | French | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | System | Monthly | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Solargis Evaluate | Online | 2024 | Solargis | Slovakia | Annual subscription | Proprietary | 17 | Yes | Not yet | Not yet | Not yet | Automatic | Multiple Terrain and Surface models + custom terrains | Buildings, Linear shading objects | Built in Solargis TMY and time series 15 min (up to 30 years) | not yet | Yes, online 3D interactive environment, generative power plant design | Yes | Yes | Proposal based on STC, string size wizard will come later | not yet | Yes, 1 axis horizontal | Import KML for segments, restricted areas and restricted lines | No | No | Yes | Equivalent circuit 1 or 2 diode | Cell | Sub-hourly | Ray Tracing | Not yet | Not yet | No | Signed PDF, CSV, JSON and other export formats | Not yet | Not yet | Solargis data in csv and json format |
| LuSim | Online | 2024 | LuciSun | Belgium | In-house Consulting | Proprietary | English | Yes | Not yet | Not yet | Not yet | Import | Import from other tools/formats | Import from other tools/formats | Import from other tools/formats | Import from other tools/formats | Full 3D modelling + Import from other tools/formats | No | No | Proposal based on STC and typical local operating conditions | Yes. Default STC or cabling key parameters | Yes. Most of the tracking configurations | Import typical modules and inverter data files | Yes | Yes | Yes | Equivalent circuit 1 or 2 diode | Cell | Sub-hourly | 3D View Factor | Typical uncertainty data | Yes – other type of distributions | Yes | PDF, CSV, JSON | Not yet | Not yet | NA |
