Analyzing 5kW Rooftop Residential Photovoltaic System using System Advisor Model

Renewable energy sources offer a promising future, harnessing the power of nature, clean and pure. These resources provide abundant energy from the Sun rays and the Wind formulation. Nowadays, for reducing carbon footprint and pollution, these are the promising sources to cater for the load demand. The System Advisor Model (SAM) is a software tool developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). SAM simulates and evaluates the efficiency and profitability of different renewable energy systems, such as solar photovoltaic, wind energy, biogas, geothermal, etc. This research paper represents the overview of the performance model of a 5kW residential PV system, which demonstrates the annual energy generated, capacity factor, levelized cost of energy (LCoE), degradation in energy generation, etc. A case for the residential owner of the solar PV system is considered for the work with a low base and high load demand. The computation of power-sharing by the solar PV system and grid is demonstrated.