PVsyst is designed to be used by architects, engineer, and researchers. It is also a very useful educative tool. It includes a detailed contextual Help menu that explains the procedures and models that are used, and offers a user-freindly approach with guide to develop a project. PVsyst is able to import meteo data from many different sources, as well as personal data.

Features
Meteonorm included
Direct search for a location using Google Maps
Full Meteonorm interpolation program for any location on earth

Detailed electrical shading losses
Defines the position of all modules of the system in the 3D field
Computes the electrical circuit at the input of each inverter
Outputs: “Irradiance shading loss” and “electrical shading loss”

Improved shading calculations
Direct shading calculation during the simulation (avoids interpolation uncertainties)
Big plants: optimized calculation of the shading factor
Plants following the terrain (Helios 3D): orientation analysis and management

New simulation process
Improved project management: parameter access, copy, templates
New organization of the losses
New losses like LID, unavailability, and light-soaking gain for CIS

PV modules and model management
Sandia model implementation and comparison with PVsyst model
Tools for parameter optimization (low-light, I/V curve)
New parameters (tolerance, IAM profile, Vmax UL)

Inverters
New parameters (Transfo, CEC efficiency)
Multi-MPPT with asymmetric inputs
Improvement of choice by manufacturer
Batch model for parametric studies