Nomograms for de-complexing the dimensioning of off-grid PV systems

There is a need to move the building stock towards a more energy self-sustained and self-reliant one. In most countries, photovoltaic installations have great potential to make dwellings energy-autonomous. To do so, the PV installation has to be coupled with a battery system capable of providing energy for periods no solar resource. Considering how many systems will need to be dimensioned and installed to achieve the objectives of reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment, sizing tools will have to be used by installers and other blue-collar specialists. This paper shows a methodology that uses modelling and simulation for the creation of dimensioning charts (nomograms), that could be used for sizing PV-systems. The method has been tested in two locations and it seems to be accurate and robust, despite uncertainty in demand profiles. Furthermore, a survey was conducted to evaluate users’ response to the method. The results show that, although the tool may not be appealing to certain users, it achieves its goal fully: all participants managed to size the installation correctly in all cases, regardless of their level of training or expertise.