Introducing INEP PVSim: A Free Offline Application to Assess the Effects of Parameter Variations on the I-V Curves of Photovoltaic Modules

Matheus Meireles da Silva; Victor F. Gruner; Thiago F. Rech; Tailan Orlando; Kevin R. Costa; Jens Friebe; André L. Kirsten; Roberto F. Coelho

doi:10.18618/REP.e202549

Authors

Matheus Meireles da Silva Federal University of Santa Catarina
Victor F. Gruner Federal University of Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0541-5702
Thiago F. Rech Federal University of Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2743-7739
Tailan Orlando Federal University of Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4333-3661
Kevin R. Costa University of Kassel
Jens Friebe University of Kassel
André L. Kirsten Federal University of Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7347-5320
Roberto F. Coelho Federal University of Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4672-0885

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18618/REP.e202549

Keywords:

Photovoltaic energy, One-diode model, Python, Education, I-V and I-V curves

Abstract

This paper introduces INEP PVSim, an offline application designed for teachers, students, and engineers to evaluate the behavior of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The application features a user-friendly interface that allows the simulation of I–V and P–V curves under different climate conditions, enabling real-time modification of parameters such as solar irradiance and temperature across a much broader range than typically provided in manufacturer datasheets. INEP PVSim is developed as free Python-based code and offers significant educational potential in the field of Power Electronics, as analyzing the impact of parameter variations on PV generation is often a challenging task with direct implications for power converter design. In addition to presenting the application, this paper also formalizes, in a single document, the equations and methods adopted for the implementation of the one-diode model, providing an accessible yet accurate platform for both learning and practical analysis.

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Author Biographies

Matheus Meireles da Silva, Federal University of Santa Catarina

was born in Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in 2002. He is currently pursuing a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering at Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). From July 2021 to April 2023, he was a member of the Electrical Engineering Tutorial Education Program of UFSC (PET EEL), where he held various coordination positions. He conducted voluntary scientific research at the Power Electronics Institute of UFSC (INEP) from July 2022 to November 2023, developing an application focused on quantizing electrical quantities in photovoltaic energy generation. From August 2023 to August 2024, he worked as an intern at the company ESSS, where he was able to work in the field of computational simulation applied to electromagnetism. Matheus has experience in computational simulation, electromagnetism, power electronics, and programming. He aims to further his studies and research, aspiring to make significant contributions to the field of Electrical Engineering

Victor F. Gruner, Federal University of Santa Catarina

was born in Florianopolis, SC, Brazil. Graduated in Electrical Engineering, with an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Power Electronics and Electric Drives. The professional career spans various R&D projects in the fields of energy processing, storage, and electric mobility. Throughout this journey, roles in R&D and Operations Management have provided valuable leadership opportunities, coordinating company activities and managing projects. With over a decade of experience in the field, a broad understanding of the industry has been developed. His main research interests in power electronics are grid connected inverters, SST applications and smart grid control.

Thiago F. Rech, Federal University of Santa Catarina

received his B.E and M.E degrees in Electrical Engineering at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) in 2019 and 2021. Currently, is pursuing a PhD degree at the Power Electronics Institute (UFSC) in Florianopolis, Brazil. His main research interests are modelling and simulation of power electronics systems, green hydrogen generation, optimization theory and renewable energy.

Tailan Orlando, Federal University of Santa Catarina

was born in Campinas do Sul, RS, Brazil, in 1996. He received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering in 2019 from the Integrated Regional University of Alto Uruguai and Missions (URI), Erechim, Brazil, and the M.S. degree in electrical engineering, in 2022, from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), where he is currently working toward the Ph.D. degree at the Power Electronics Institute. His research interests include power converters, grid-connected systems, active filters, and green hydrogen generation. Ms. Orlando is member of the IEEE.

Kevin R. Costa, University of Kassel

Graduated in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Ceará, Brazil, in 2019. In 2021, he completed a master’s degree in electrical engineering, with an emphasis on Power Electronics and Embedded Systems, at the same university. Since 2022, has been working as an Assistant Researcher in the Power Electronics Department (LE-KDEE) at the University of Kassel, Germany, where he is also pursuing a Ph.D. His research focuses on the design and integration of power converters, magnetics, embedded control, and digital systems.

Jens Friebe, University of Kassel

received the B.Sc., M.Sc., and Dr.-Ing. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany. He was responsible for the research area of passive components in power electronics with the Institute for Drive Systems and Power Electronics, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany, from 2018 to 2022. Before that, he was with SMA Solar Technology, Germany, in the field of PV-inverter topologies, wide-bandgap semiconductors, magnetic components, control strategies for high switching frequencies, and power electronics packaging, for more than 13 years. He is currently the Head of the Power Electronics Group, University of Kassel.

André L. Kirsten, Federal University of Santa Catarina

was born in Santa Maria, Brazil, in 1986. He received the B.S., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil, in 2009, 2011, and 2014, respectively. He is currently a Professor with the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil. His main research interests are power electronics, digital control, dual active bridge converter and solid-state transformers. Dr. Kirsten is member of SOBRAEP and IEEE.

Roberto F. Coelho, Federal University of Santa Catarina

received his B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering in 2006, his M.Sc. degree in 2007, and his Ph.D. degree in 2013, all from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil. From March to August 2013, he was a researcher at the Center for Sustainable Energy (CES) of the CERTI Foundation. He is currently a permanent professor in the Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering (PPGEEL) at UFSC and serves as the Coordinator of the Undergraduate Course in Electrical Engineering at the same institution. He is also a member of the Board of the Brazilian Power Electronics Society (SOBRAEP), Associate Editor of the Revista Eletrônica de Potência, and Associate Editor of the Special Section “Energy Storage” of Frontiers in Energy Research. He has been regularly involved in research projects funded by development agencies and in collaboration with industry, and he is currently the coordinator of an international cooperation project between Brazil and Germany (PROBRAL/CAPES), running until 2027. His research interests include power converters, control, maximum power point tracker systems, grid-connected systems, and distributed generated systems. Dr. Coelho is member of the SOBRAEP and IEEE.

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