Standalone Solar PV System Design and Analysis Using PVsyst Software: A Case of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Power fluctuation and frequent grid failure are common phenomena in Ethiopia. In the present scenario, most of the electricity is provided from the hydropower stations. Renewable sources of energy like solar energy are sustainable and environmentally friendly sources of energy that could be used stand-alone or integrated with grid. The average yearly irradiance in Ethiopia is around 5.2 kWh/m2/day. Different variables determine the amount of influence the amount of solar power to be available for use. The main purpose of this research is to trustworthily design standalone photovoltaic unit and forecast the annual energy output. The study employed a simulation software called PVsyst considering different variables as inputs. The energy that could be provided to the load for the entire year can be predicted using the PVsyst software. The total electrical energy produced by the PV array, power supplied to the load, and the different kinds losses of power are studied. In addition, the system’s overall energy flows are investigated. From the PVsyst simulation result, the global horizontal radiation on the horizontal plane is 2381 kWh/m2, and the effective global radiation with optical losses is 2417.9 kWh/m2. The average available solar radiation is 1517.116 MWh, whereas the average unused energy is 261.980 MWh. Furthermore, the energy demand, energy supplied, energy missed, and the solar fraction are determined.