Image: European Commission
The European Commission has released version 5.3 of PVGISa free online tool available in five languages. It provides detailed calculations on solar radiation and the performance of photovoltaic systems worldwide, excluding the poles.
PVGIS estimates electricity production at specific locations, seasonal production variations and the impact of battery storage on the use of generated energy.
It offers options for grid-connected or off-grid systems, fixed or tracker-mounted panels and various photovoltaic technologies. For trackers, users can define angles or have PVGIS calculate them to maximize energy yield.
The tool also simulates energy flows for off-grid systems with battery storage, using solar radiation data to assess how stored energy supports daily electricity consumption.
The meteorological analysis integrates hourly data on nine climate variables, formatted for building energy tools, while the solar radiation calculations include hourly, daily or monthly values for system performance.
PVGIS can analyze coastal areas up to 25 km offshore, with extensive global mapping capabilities for smaller regions. It also accurately models PV performance on snow-covered surfaces, expanding its practical applications.
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