Course Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to PVsyst and Solar Design Basics

• Overview of PVsyst software and capabilities

• Basic concepts of solar PV design and performance metrics

• Installation and software setup

• Understanding global solar potential

Case Study: Feasibility study of a 10 kW rooftop system

Module 2: Site Location, Weather Data, and Solar Resources

• Importing and validating meteorological data (Meteonorm, TMY)

• Understanding irradiance and temperature profiles

• Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) and Plane-of-Array (POA)

• Creating custom meteo files

Case Study: Resource assessment for a rural solar farm in Kenya

Module 3: PV Modules and Inverter Database Management

• Selecting PV modules and inverter configurations

• Using manufacturer databases and importing custom components

• Defining temperature coefficients and performance curves

• Orientation, tilt, and azimuth optimization

Case Study: Module selection for a high-altitude site in Nepal

Module 4: System Configuration and Preliminary Design

• Grid-connected system design principles

• Designing arrays and electrical layouts

• Defining losses (wiring, mismatch, degradation)

• System sizing for performance ratio optimization

Case Study: Designing a 100 kW commercial rooftop system

Module 5: Shading Analysis and Near-Field Modeling

• Types of shading (near, far, self-shading)

• 3D shading scene construction

• Horizon profile and field layout

• Analyzing shading losses using 3D viewer and tools

Case Study: Shading impact analysis for an urban solar installation

Module 6: Simulation, Results Interpretation, and Reporting

• Running simulations and analyzing energy yields

• Performance ratio, capacity factor, and energy losses

• Generating and interpreting graphical reports

• Exporting simulation results for presentations and proposals

Case Study: Simulation of a 1 MW solar plant and report generation

Module 7: Advanced Loss Modeling and Bifacial Systems

• Soiling, degradation, and system aging factors

• Modeling bifacial modules and albedo effects

• Ground coverage ratio (GCR) and tracking impacts

• Comparing mono-facial vs bifacial performance

Case Study: Design comparison for mono vs. bifacial modules on a desert site

Module 8: Stand-Alone and Hybrid PV System Modeling

• Designing off-grid and hybrid solar systems

• Battery storage modeling basics

• Load profiles and autonomy analysis

• PV-diesel-battery hybrid simulation in PVsyst

Case Study: Off-grid PV + battery system for a telecom tower

Module 9: Economic Analysis and Financial Modeling

• LCOE, payback period, and ROI calculations

• Using PVsyst economic tools for cost modeling

• Integrating incentives, tariffs, and subsidies

• Sensitivity analysis for financial risks

Case Study: Investment viability for a 500 kW solar project with PPA model

Module 10: Capstone Project and Course Review

• Full project: site selection, system design, simulation, and reporting

• Presentation of results and peer review

• Q&A and knowledge recap

• Certification and feedback session

Capstone Case Study: Complete design and analysis of a 1 MW solar PV plant for an industrial client