A Comparative Study of Photovoltaic Solar systems Performance between Numerical Simulation (Helioscope) and Real Systems

In this research work, numerical simulation software has been utilized to predict the performance parameters of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems and compared with actual PV systems performance over a period of one year. The study aims to theoretically evaluate the performance of a PV system using Helioscope, and compare it with two actual PV systems and determine the accuracy of Helioscope software. The current simulated PV system is 5 kWp on-grid monocrystalline silicon (mono-Si) situated in Baghdad (33.33 0N and 44.44 0E). The tilt and azimuth angles of the PV solar modules are 200 and 00, respectively. In this study, all performance parameters as well as atmospheric factors such as solar radiation and ambient temperature are taken into account. Helioscope validation is -4.44% to 0.85%. Helioscope accuracy will be confirmed by comparing it with an actual PV solar system. The Helioscope accuracy obtained in this study was 97.55%. The yearly AC energy outputs for the Helioscope and mono-Si system are 7819.3 kWh and 7891 kWh, respectively. The annual daily averages of final yield are 4.3 kWh/kWp/day and 4.5kWh/kWp/day, respectively. The average yearly performance ratio & capacity factor are 72% & 74.7% and 17.85% & 17.7, respectively. The average yearly efficiencies are 10.37% and 11.33%, respectively. The annual global horizontal solar irradiation is 1968.6 kWh/m² and 1987.5kWh/m2, respectively. The average yearly overall losses are 1.757 kWh/kWp (29%) and 1.48 kWh/kWp (24.5%), respectively. The study showed that the Helioscope software is highly reliable and can be used to accurately predict the performance and energy output of PV solar systems. Furthermore, the CIGS solar module technology is the most suitable for the hot climate of Iraq.