Performance Analysis of 5kWp Solar Rooftop Plant using PVsyst Software

Abstract

The present researchworkfocuses on performance of a 5kWp PV solar system, a second-generation PV technology. The Experimental PV solar system was installed at the rooftop of G.P. Convent School, located in Sankat Mochan Nagar Morar, Gwalior, M.P, India (78.21°E, 26.22°N). The research work compares the real-world performance data from 2024 with findings from the PVsyst simulation program to evaluate how closely the experimental system line up with an ideal simulated model under Madhya Pradesh climate conditions, wherethe study is conducted to evaluate the solar irradiance and compute the technical as well as economic facets of the PV solar rooftop system to supply domestic electrical energy requirements. The total yearlypower generated was6910.2kWh for experimental PV solar system and 7485kWh according to PVsyst software. The yearly global horizontal solar irradiation and diffused horizontal solar irradiation was received as 1664.6kWh/m² and 895.4kWh/m² respectively, in Gwalior, Madhya PradeshIndia. The annual average system and array losses were notes as 0.18 kWh/kWp/day for both experimental and simulated systems, therefore, additional losses were measured at 1.1kWh/kWp/day in experimental system compared to 0.84kWh/kWp/day in PVsyst model.

Introduction

Photovoltaic (PV) solar power plants convert sunlight directly into electricity using individual cells that generate small amounts of power, but when combined into panels, they produce significant energy. These systems are widely used in residential, commercial, and large-scale solar farms, driven by increasing demand for sustainable and renewable energy. Solar energy is abundant, free, and environmentally friendly, though its broader adoption depends on efficiency, cost, and reliability. PV technology, while relatively simple and low-maintenance, remains costlier compared to other renewables but benefits from dropping module prices and government incentives. Solar thermal systems have also improved significantly.

PV systems are mainly classified into two types:

1. Stand-alone (off-grid) systems – operate independently with battery storage, suitable for remote areas.

2. Grid-connected systems – linked to the electrical grid, allowing excess energy to be fed into the grid and drawing power when needed, more cost-effective without batteries.

Solar power plants come in different forms: rooftop panels, ground-mounted arrays, floating solar on water bodies, and concentrating solar power (CSP) plants that focus sunlight to generate thermal energy.

Several case studies highlight successful solar PV implementations:

• A 15 MW grid-connected system in Bangladesh with high efficiency, economic viability, and significant CO2 emission reductions.

• A 50 MW PV plus energy storage system optimized via PVsyst software.

• A 700 kWp system in Afghanistan addressing energy shortages and rural electrification.

• A standalone system for an engineering college showing seasonal performance variations.

• A 100 kW bifacial rooftop system in Iran emphasizing optimization challenges.

The study further uses PVsyst simulation to model a 5 kWp rooftop system in Gwalior, India, analyzing monthly power generation, solar irradiance, temperature effects, performance ratio (PR), and system losses. Results show highest energy output in summer months despite high temperatures, with an annual average PR around 81%, indicating efficient operation. Losses from wiring, module quality, mismatch, and inverter inefficiencies were quantified, resulting in a net annual energy output of about 7,153.6 kWh.

Conclusion

A Photovoltaic solarsystem was designed using PVsyst software to assess the energy requirements for aninstitutional building\'s total load of 5.00kWp. The PVsyst simulation provided valuable insights into the performance of the PV modules. The results indicated that as load demand decreases, the performance ratio increases, and power generation remains proportional to load. Further analysis confirmed that the system performs well and is capable of reliably supporting a load of approximately 5.00kWp. 1) The variance between the PVsyst simulation results and the actual performance of the experimental system was minimal, despite the PVsyst model assuming an annual average temperature of 25.5°C, while the experimental system operated at 31°C. 2) In terms of efficiency, the experimental system closely matched the performance of PVsyst simulation, with comparable energy losses between the two. 3) The outcomes highlight that PV solar system technology performs remarkably well under real-world conditions, even though the PVsyst model signifies an ideal scenario unaffected by clouds, rain, as well as dust. The experimental PV solar system, operating under a higher average temperature of 31°C, demonstrated resilience against Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh India.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Santosh Rathor , Amit Agrawal. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.