PVsyst Training Course

Lesson 1 • Creating and Managing Projects

Guides students through starting a new project, setting site parameters, and saving files. Proper project management prevents data loss and supports team collaboration.

Lesson 2 • Solar Energy Principles for PV Design

Covers irradiance, solar geometry, and energy conversion basics. Establishes the physical context needed to interpret PVsyst simulation parameters accurately.

Lesson 3 • Understanding PVsyst Simulation Types

Distinguishes preliminary design, project design, and grid-connected versus stand-alone modes. Students select the correct simulation type for each design scenario.

Lesson 1 • Importing and Validating Meteo Data

Demonstrates importing meteo files into PVsyst and running built-in validation checks. Identifying anomalies early prevents systematic errors in energy yield calculations.

Lesson 2 • Albedo and Transposition Models

Explains ground reflectance settings and irradiance transposition models available in PVsyst. Students select models appropriate to site conditions and tilt angles.

Lesson 3 • Horizon and Shading Profile Definition

Teaches manual and tool-assisted horizon line entry to account for far-field obstructions. Accurate horizon profiles directly reduce overestimation of annual irradiance.

Lesson 4 • Meteorological Data Sources and Formats

Reviews major global and regional irradiance databases and their data formats. Students evaluate source reliability and select appropriate datasets for their project location.

Lesson 1 • Creating Custom PV Module Entries

Guides students through manually entering module parameters when manufacturer files are unavailable. Correct parameter entry ensures the one-diode model fits measured data.

Lesson 2 • Inverter Database and Selection

Covers inverter search, efficiency curve interpretation, and OND file import. Students match inverter capacity to array output for optimal system sizing.

Lesson 3 • System Sizing and Configuration

Applies sizing rules to determine string length, number of strings, and inverter count. Students use PVsyst's sizing assistant to validate configuration within equipment limits.

Lesson 4 • Navigating the PV Module Database

Explores the built-in module library, search filters, and parameter fields. Students identify key electrical parameters that drive simulation accuracy.

Lesson 1 • Electrical Shading and String Layout Optimisation

Links physical shading to electrical mismatch losses using the module layout editor. Students optimise string orientation to minimise partial shading impact on output.

Lesson 2 • Shading Loss Calculation and Analysis

Runs shading simulations and interprets isoshading diagrams and loss tables. Students identify critical shading periods and evaluate layout modifications.

Lesson 3 • Placing and Configuring PV Arrays in 3D

Demonstrates placing PV tables, setting tilt and azimuth, and defining row spacing. Correct placement ensures shading calculations reflect the physical installation.

Lesson 4 • Modelling Shading Obstacles

Covers adding buildings, trees, and structural elements as shading obstacles. Accurate obstacle geometry prevents underestimation of near-field shading losses.

Lesson 1 • Inverter and System Availability Losses

Covers inverter efficiency losses, clipping, and system unavailability parameters. Students set realistic availability values based on O&M contracts and historical data.

Lesson 2 • Module Quality and Mismatch Losses

Explains LID, module quality, and mismatch loss parameters and their default versus custom values. Accurate loss entry prevents systematic overestimation of system output.

Lesson 3 • PVsyst Loss Diagram Overview

Introduces the loss diagram structure and the sequence from irradiance to AC output. Understanding loss categories enables systematic identification of yield improvement opportunities.

Lesson 4 • Optical and Soiling Losses

Covers incidence angle modifier (IAM) settings and soiling loss entry by month. Students select IAM models and set soiling values based on site environment and cleaning schedules.

Lesson 1 • Report Generation and Customisation

Generates the standard PVsyst PDF report and customises content for client deliverables. Students select relevant output sections and annotate results for professional presentation.

Lesson 2 • Analysing the Loss Diagram Output

Interprets the simulation loss diagram to rank loss contributors by magnitude. Students use this analysis to prioritise design improvements and validate assumptions.

Lesson 3 • Simulation Execution and Settings

Walks through simulation run settings, time-step selection, and output variable configuration. Correct settings ensure simulation outputs match the resolution needed for analysis.

Lesson 4 • Key Performance Indicators Explained

Defines specific yield, performance ratio, and capacity factor as primary KPIs. Students calculate and benchmark these metrics against industry references for the site type.

Lesson 1 • Agrivoltaic and Non-Standard Layouts

Adapts PVsyst inputs for elevated, wide-pitch, and agrivoltaic array configurations. Students model non-standard geometries and assess their yield and shading trade-offs.

Lesson 2 • Single-Axis and Dual-Axis Tracking Systems

Models horizontal single-axis trackers and dual-axis systems including backtracking algorithms. Students compare fixed-tilt and tracking yield gains under different irradiance conditions.

Lesson 3 • Scripting and Batch Simulation

Introduces PVsyst's scripting interface for automating repetitive simulations across multiple variants. Batch processing accelerates sensitivity studies and portfolio-level analysis.

Lesson 4 • Long-Term Degradation Modelling

Applies annual degradation rates to project lifetime energy yield calculations. Students generate P50 and P90 production estimates accounting for module degradation over time.

Lesson 1 • Sources of Uncertainty in PV Simulation

Categorises uncertainty sources: meteo data, model accuracy, equipment parameters, and losses. Students assign uncertainty values to each source using industry guidance documents.

Lesson 2 • Quality Assurance and Peer Review Process

Establishes a QA workflow for checking simulation inputs, outputs, and report content before submission. Peer review reduces errors and strengthens report credibility with financiers.

Lesson 3 • Statistical Methods for Yield Uncertainty

Applies root-sum-of-squares and Monte Carlo methods to combine individual uncertainties. Students calculate combined uncertainty and derive P50, P75, and P90 yield estimates.

Lesson 4 • Interannual Variability Assessment

Quantifies interannual irradiance variability using long-term datasets and standard deviation analysis. Variability directly widens the P90 confidence interval in bankable reports.