PVFORM3.3. Photovoltaic System Performance
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
PVFORM3.3 is used to design a photovoltaic (PV) system using a set of design parameters which optimize the system`s economic potential for the proposed location and the expected operating conditions. PVFORM3.3 has been used to determine PV system size and optimum mounting configuration. The anticipated electrical load determines the system size and the weather and the mounting configuration affect the system output. PVFORM3.3 uses program-supplied default values or their user-supplied equivalents for each of a large number of parameters describing the system and time-series data describing the environment to perform a series of hourly calculations to simulate the physical (photovoltaic) performance of a PV system for a one-year period. These iterative calculations sample the performance of the PV system throughout a simulated 365-day year of system operation. Within any simulated day on which system performance is sampled, the calculations are done hourly. The number of days sampled and the interval between them is determined by an input parameter. The results of these calculations are summarized on a monthly basis in output tables and an optional plot file. The program is applicable to grid interactive or stand-alone flat-plate systems. The grid interactive system is assumed to use power purchased from a local utility to supply that portion of the load not met by the simulated PV array. If the array produces more energy than can be consumed by the load, the excess energy is assumed to be sold back to the utility at a constant energy sellback price. If a stand-alone system is being modeled, the program assumes that all energy produced by the simulated PV array is first applied to the external load, and any excess is then used to charge the battery bank. Energy not consumed by the load or the batteries is considered to be wasted.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 10197066
- Report Number(s):
- ESTSC-000679IBMPC00; ON: UN94131705
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: DN: Input data files developed for earlier versions of PVFORM are not upwardly compatible with version 3.3. PVFORM3.3 will run on a microcomputer such as the DEC VAX 11/780. PVHELP.FOR compiled and linked without errors or warnings. TMYCON.FOR compile and link without errors or warnings. PVFORM33.FOR had 1 warning `PVFORM33.FOR(2371) WARNING F4998:LIFE: Variable used but not defined. ERRORS. Linked with only the compile warning, no errors.; PBD: 25 Sep 1989
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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14 SOLAR ENERGY
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COMPUTER PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION
SIZE
PERFORMANCE
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
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MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTERS