Research Article
Volume 9 Issue 4
Amira A Elmarmouri, Abdel Ahmed* and Abhishek Tiwary
September 30, 2026
DOI : 10.56831/PSEN-09-296
Abstract
Off-grid solar energy systems are increasingly adopted for residential use as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel–based electricity. Accurate design of these systems is essential to ensure reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. This study compares manual sizing calculations with PVsyst simulation outputs for residential off-grid systems. The manual approach focuses on determining the required number of PV modules, inverter capacity, and battery storage while accounting for surge loads. PVsyst simulations are then used to model the same system under environmental and operational conditions. Results reveal that while PVsyst provides valuable long-term performance insights, it tends to underestimate inverter requirements and battery usability in off-grid applications. Manual design, in contrast, ensures reliable surge load handling and more realistic storage capacity estimates. The study concludes that a hybrid approach—integrating manual engineering methods with PVsyst simulations—offers a more reliable pathway for residential off-grid solar system design.
Keywords: Solar Energy; System Manual Design; Residential Solar Design; PVsyst Simulation; Battery Sizing; Surge Load
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