A review of the software that is used for the design of photovoltaic systems

The application of software used in the simulation design of grid-connected, off-grid, and hybrid photovoltaic systems is a topic of constant exploration. The objective of this research is to analyze the importance of the use of software in the design of photovoltaic systems; using a bibliographic inquiry, it is intended to collect information related to performance, feasibility, and cost reduction in the field of solar energy, it is essential to consider that with the help of programs, the location, layout, sizing, and configuration of solar panels are analyzed and designed before their installation in the field. Software such as Homer, PVsyst, Trnsys, Chroma Soft Panel, Esp-r, RetScreen, and Plecs are fundamental tools to promote the use of renewable energies that, through simulations, graphs, numerical data, 3D extensions, and virtual reality, allow for improvement decision making in applications related to solar power. As technology advances, scientific communities must continue to contribute to research in developing more technological software with implementations of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other inclusions to boost the performance of these digital tools.