A simulation model for sizing PV installations

Electric energy consumption in the arid Saharan regions is continuingly increasing due to increasing urbanization. Photovoltaic solar energy may be a suitable form of alternative electric energy production due to the abundance of solar energy in this region. In this paper we are presenting the general outline of a simulation model used to size and assess the performance a PV installation using DELPH5 programming language. This program allows the user to determine at any moment the performance of the PV installation by comparing the PV electric energy produced and the required consumption load and. It also permits the optimization of the system relative to the factor of time.