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Digital Tools for PV Off-Grid Systems
The tools in the following table are categorized along the value chain of off-grid projects. See here for an infographics on the categories and subcategories.
The initial version of this table is created by IEA-Task18 team as an annex to the project report, "Report: Digitalization in off-grid systems" For IEA PVPS Task 18.
| Digital Tool | Description | Category | Features | Website [accessed on 8.23] |
| MS Project | Cloud based tool to manage task, work packages and projects within groups. | Construction | Project Management
Portfolio Management Resource Management |
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/project/project-management-software |
| sPlan | You need a software to design your schematic circuit diagrams easy and fast? Then there is no way around sPlan! No matter if you only want to sketch a little circuit diagram or if you need to design a big project with several pages. | Construction | Compact software at a relatively low price | https://www.electronic-software-shop.com/elektronik-software/splan-80.html?language=de |
| PineBerry | Offers everything needed for scaling of clean energy services on a “as a service” basis | Customer Management | Minigrid
Last Mile Water Cooling E-mobility |
https://pineberry.services/ |
| MicroPowerManager | Open-Source platform for decentralized utility management including customers, revenues and assets | Customer Management | Integrated prepayment metering
Sales of goods through deferred payment schemes Real-time asset monitoring Two-way SMS messaging Built-in ticketing system Centralized CRM database |
https://micropowermanager.com/ |
| New Sun Road | Hardware and Software for Real-Time management of power systems using IoT | Customer Management | Power Asset Management in Underserved Communities
Optimize Renewable Energy, Reduce Emissions Increase Tower Availability While Minimizing Costs Remotely Operate Islandable Hybrid Microgrids |
https://newsunroad.com/ |
| Meter Supplier Tools
Sparkmeter |
Offers utility management tools and hardware for different grid systems.
|
Customer Management | Stronger Asset Management
Reduce distribution network costs Reduce wholesale energy costs Avoid or defer capital expenses for distribution network upgrades to meet growing peak demand Minimize the need for asset replacement due to reduced lifetime from transformer overloading |
https://www.sparkmeter.io/ |
| Meter Supplier Tools
SteamaCo |
Smart metering software and hardware for energy infrastructure | Customer Management | Advanced energy theft detection technology for utilities
Overhaul your revenue protection methods Resolve Aggregated Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses |
https://steama.co/ |
| Odyssey | Helps connect renewable energy projects with financiers and equipment suppliers. | Economics | Finance
Procurement Remote Management Deal Origination Due Diligence Monitoring and analytics Feasibility Analysis Tenders/RBFs Monitoring and Evaluation |
https://odysseyenergysolutions.com/ |
| Ecoligo | Allows the public to invest in renewable energy projects and promises a return on investment | Economics | Immediate cost savings
Financing to technical implementation to system management Remote monitoring |
https://ecoligo.com/en/ |
| OEMOF | A modular open source framework to model energy supply models | Economics | System Design
System Sizing Simulation Grid Storage Meteo Database Optimization Economic Evaluation |
https://oemof.org/ |
| OpenPlan | A open source GUI that offers the ability to model and optimize energy systems. | Economics | Easy to use GUI | https://open-plan.rl-institut.de/en/ |
| Nessi | A free tool that allows users to make sustainable energy system decision for buildings or neighborhoods by simulating different impacts. | Economics | Free online web tool | https://nessi.iwi.uni-hannover.de/en/ |
| PV sol | Design and simulation software for PV Systems. | Economics | A product by Valentin-software [see Valentin Software row for more information]. | https://valentin-software.com/en/products/pvsol-premium/ |
| Odyssey | Helps connect renewable energy projects with financiers and equipment suppliers. | Engineering | Finance
Procurement Remote Management Deal Origination Due Diligence Monitoring and analytics Feasibility Analysis Tenders/RBFs Monitoring and Evaluation |
https://odysseyenergysolutions.com/ |
| HOMER | Offers software for optimized hybrid power grid modeling of different sizes and scales | Engineering | Combined engineering and economics
Determine least-cost options Systems Simulations Energy Savings Integrate EV Charging Project Screening Site Selection |
https://www.homerenergy.com/index.html |
| Sunny Design | A tool to model and plan PV systems offering a variety of options. | Engineering | Design Recommendation
Optimization Visual Planning Integrate E-mobility Energy-related system assessment Financial system assessment Self-consumption forecast |
https://www.sma.de/en/products/apps-software/sunny-design#c439 |
| PVsyst | A tool that can be used either educational of professionally to model solar systems and estimate different metrics like shading, economic evaluation and ageing. | Engineering | System Design
System Sizing Simulation Grid Storage Meteo Database Optimization Economic Evaluation |
https://www.pvsyst.com/ |
| Valentine Software | Products to simulate, design and forecast different types of renewable energy systems. | Engineering | PV*SOL Premium
PV*SOL T*SOL GeoT*SOL |
https://valentin-software.com/en/ |
| PandaPower | Similar application field like PowerFactory; Open Source Based in Python | Engineering | Analysing generation
Transmission Distribution Industrial systems |
http://www.pandapower.org/ |
| PowerFactory | Optimize the value of your hybrid power system—from utility-scale and distributed generation to standalone microgrids | Engineering | Analysing generation
Transmission Distribution Industrial systems |
https://www.digsilent.de/en/powerfactory.html |
| SOLIDWORKS | A powerful CAD tool used in industry for modeling, simulations and machining. Can be expanded with plugins | Engineering | SOLIDWORKS Simulation
SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD |
https://www.solidworks.com/ |
| AutoCAD | A CAD system that can be used for mechanical, electrical and architectural modeling. Includes advanced features for cooperation. | Engineering | Design and annotate
Automate tasks Create a customized workspace |
https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/overview |
| Splan | Drawing of electronic circuit diagrams | Engineering | Design of electrical plans | https://splan.de.softonic.com/ |
| OEMOF | A modular open source framework to model energy supply models | Engineering | System Design
System Sizing Simulation Grid Storage Meteo Database Optimization Economic Evaluation |
https://oemof.org/ |
| CYME | Designed for planning studies and simulating the behavior of electrical distribution networks under different operating conditions and scenarios. | Engineering | Modelling, Planning, Distributed Energy Resources, Operation, Protection, Power Quality, Optimization, Time-Series, Scripting | https://www.cyme.com/software/cymdist/ |
| Odyssey | Helps connect renewable energy projects with financiers and equipment suppliers. | Feasibility & Design | Finance
Procurement Remote Management Deal Origination Due Diligence Monitoring and analytics Feasibility Analysis Tenders/RBFs Monitoring and Evaluation |
https://odysseyenergysolutions.com/ |
| RAMP | OpenSource Demand Modelling Tool | Feasibility & Design | create demand profiles based on appliance ownership and usage times | https://rampdemand.org/ |
| HOMER | Offers software for optimized hybrid power grid modeling of different sizes and scales | Feasibility & Design | Combined engineering and economics
Determine least-cost options Systems Simulations Energy Savings Integrate EV Charging Project Screening Site Selection |
https://www.homerenergy.com/index.html |
| Sunny Design | A tool to model and plan PV systems offering a variety of options. | Feasibility & Design | Design Recommendation
Optimization Visual Planning Integrate E-mobility Energy-related system assessment Financial system assessment Self-consumption forecast |
https://www.sma.de/en/products/apps-software/sunny-design#c439 |
| PVsyst | A tool that can be used either educational of professionally to model solar systems and estimate different metrics like shading, economic evaluation and ageing. | Feasibility & Design | System Design
System Sizing Simulation Grid Storage Meteo Database Optimization Economic Evaluation |
https://www.pvsyst.com/ |
| Valentine Software | Products to simulate, design and forecast different types of renewable energy systems. | Feasibility & Design | PV*SOL Premium
PV*SOL T*SOL GeoT*SOL |
https://valentin-software.com/en/ |
| Kobo Toolbox | A tool used to create, distribute and evaluate detailed surveys. | Feasibility & Design | Powerful form development
Data collection & analysis Project & team management |
https://www.kobotoolbox.org/ |
| DC System Analysis | The DC System Analysis includes Battery Sizing, DC Load Flow, DC Short Circuit (ANSI), and DC Short Circuit (IEC). The module complies with various industry standards and includes both a DC equipment library as well as DC component types. | Feasibility & Design | Industry standard complient,
Large equipment library |
https://www.skm.com/dcSystemAnalysis.html |
| CYME | Designed for planning studies and simulating the behavior of electrical distribution networks under different operating conditions and scenarios. | Feasibility & Design | Modelling, Planning, Distributed Energy Resources, Operation, Protection, Power Quality, Optimization, Time-Series, Scripting | https://www.cyme.com/software/cymdist/ |
| PV sol | Design and simulation software for PV Systems. | Feasibility and Design | A product by Valentin-software [see Valentin Software row for more information]. | https://valentin-software.com/en/products/pvsol-premium/ |
| OEMOF | A modular open source framework to model energy supply models | Feasibility and Design | System Design
System Sizing Simulation Grid Storage Meteo Database Optimization Economic Evaluation |
https://oemof.org/ |
| OpenPlan | A open source GUI that offers the ability to model and optimize energy systems. | Feasibility and Design | Easy to use GUI | https://open-plan.rl-institut.de/en/ |
| Nessi | A free tool that allows users to make sustainable energy system decision for buildings or neighborhoods by simulating different impacts. | Feasibility and Design | Free online web tool | https://nessi.iwi.uni-hannover.de/en/ |
| HEDERA Impact Toolkit | Helps to create mobile and web-based surveys. | Feasibility and Design | Impact data management | https://hedera.online/en/hit/surveys.html |
| Offgridders | Open Source Software to model and optimize energy systems for off-grid use. | Feasibility and Design | Github Repository | https://github.com/rl-institut/offgridders |
| RETScreen | Clean Energy Management Software system for energy efficiency, renewable energy and cogeneration project feasibility analysis as well as ongoing energy performance analysis. | Financial modelling | RETScreen® Clean Energy Management Software | http://www.retscreen.net/ |
| Minigrid Policy Toolkit | This Policy Toolkit shall improve understanding about mini-grids, stakeholders, and options for supportive and regulatory frameworks with the aim to make investments into mini-grids more attractive. | Financial modelling | policy-makers, project developers, investors, development banks and donor agencies, primarily in Africa. | http://minigridpolicytoolkit.euei-pdf.org/support-tools |
| RETScreen | Clean Energy Management Software system for energy efficiency, renewable energy and cogeneration project feasibility analysis as well as ongoing energy performance analysis. | Financial viability assessment | RETScreen® Clean Energy Management Software | http://www.retscreen.net/ |
| Minigrid Policy Toolkit | This Policy Toolkit shall improve understanding about mini-grids, stakeholders, and options for supportive and regulatory frameworks with the aim to make investments into mini-grids more attractive. | Financial viability assessment | policy-makers, project developers, investors, development banks and donor agencies, primarily in Africa. | http://minigridpolicytoolkit.euei-pdf.org/support-tools |
| MicroPowerManager | Open-Source platform for decentralized utility management including customers, revenues and assets | Monitoring & Control | Integrated prepayment metering
Sales of goods through deferred payment schemes Real-time asset monitoring Two-way SMS messaging Built-in ticketing system Centralized CRM database |
https://micropowermanager.com/ |
| Odyssey | Helps connect renewable energy projects with financiers and equipment suppliers. | Monitoring & Control / SCADA | Finance
Procurement Remote Management Deal Origination Due Diligence Monitoring and analytics Feasibility Analysis Tenders/RBFs Monitoring and Evaluation |
https://odysseyenergysolutions.com/ |
| New Sun Road | Hardware and Software for Real-Time management of power systems using IoT | Monitoring and control | Power Asset Management in Underserved Communities
Optimize Renewable Energy, Reduce Emissions Increase Tower Availability While Minimizing Costs Remotely Operate Islandable Hybrid Microgrids |
https://newsunroad.com/ |
| AMMP | Service that allows to collect data from different sources, build dashboards and helps to monitor and control renewable energy investments | Monitoring and control | Data acquisition
Vendor-agnostic integrations of different manufacturers and service providers Performance tracking and reporting |
https://www.ammp.io/ |
| EcoPhi Renewables Engineering GmbH | All-in-one monitoring and control solutions for solar, water and agriculture. | Monitoring and control | Reports
Analytics Alarms Remote Control API Integrations |
https://ecophi.io/ |
| New Sun Road | Real-time visibility and remote control to manage and optimize your power systems operations | Monitoring and control | Power Asset Management in Underserved Communities
Optimize Renewable Energy, Reduce Emissions Increase Tower Availability While Minimizing Costs Remotely Operate Islandable Hybrid Microgrids |
https://newsunroad.com/ |
| Inverter Supplier Tools
SMA |
Professional management, monitoring and presentation of PV plants | Monitoring and control | Sunny Portal
Live system status data Information about current energy flow (purchased electricity, battery charging) Monitors communication to the portal Monitors inverter performance Weather information for location Visualized energy yields |
https://www.sma.de/en/products/monitoring-control/sunny-portal |
| Inverter Supplier Tools
Victron |
System that allows to monitore, manage and optimize renewable energy systems remotely. | Monitoring and control/ SCADA | VRM Remote Monitoring works with a GX-device such as the Cerbo GX with internet connection or the GlobalLink 520 for smaller systems
Monitor Manage Optimize Proactive maintenance services |
https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/vrm#technical-information |
| Illu | Making deploying, operating, and maintaining distributed renewable energy in the field as easy as possible | O&M Management Tool | Preventative Maintenance
Incident Management Site Survey and Onboarding Commissioning and QC |
https://www.illu.works/ |
| SMA Solar Academy | Provides product, system, solution and service training related to PV systems | Online Knowledge Products | Online training
In-person training Tech tips videos |
https://solaracademy.sma.de/en.html |
| Victron Energy | Basic-to-Pro training courses for system installers | Online Knowledge Products | Digital Training | https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/2021/06/08/victron-training-videos/ |
| Green Mini-Grid Help Desk | Practical information on mini grids | Online Trainings | https://greenminigrid.afdb.org/ | |
| VidaGIS | Working with and creating geographical and spatial data, such as maps, satellite-images, multidimensional models and infrastructure management. | Planning & Site Identification | Map & GIS Database
Satellite Image GIS Software and Services Aktivmap (manage, track, and analyze your infrastructure assets, machines and equipment) Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) Software and Services |
https://www.vidagis.com/ |
| ArcGIS | Mapping and spatial analytics. Creating digital representations of environments, both indoor and outdoor on different scales. Used for infrastructure management and analysis. | Planning & Site Identification | ArcGIS Platform (building mapping and analysis applications)
ArcGIS Online (create, manage, and share geospatial content in the cloud) ArcGIS Pro ArcGIS Enterprise (powering mapping and visualization, analytics, and data management) |
https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis |
| QGIS | Can be used to create, edit and publish Geographic Information Systems. | Planning & Site Identification | QGIS Desktop (Create, edit, visualize, analyse and publish geospatial information)
QGIS Server (Publish your QGIS projects and layers as OGC compatible WMS, WMTS, WFS and WCS services) QGIS Web Client (powerful symbology, labeling and blending features) QField (QGIS on mobiles and tablets) Merging Maps Input app IntraMaps Roam |
https://www.qgis.org/en/site/index.html |
| Nigeria SE4ALL | Provides tool to model different kind of grids and analyze both needs and demands. Aims to increase the use of renewable energies and the widespread availability of electricity | Planning & Site Identification | Mini-grid site selection
Real mini-grid data Power sector analytics |
https://nigeriase4all.gov.ng/ |
| Global Electrification Platform | Explore least cost electrification strategies around the world, interacting with country contextual data and different investment scenarios. | Planning & Site Identification | https://electrifynow.energydata.info/ | |
| OpeN Source Spatial Electrification Toolkit (ONSSET) | ONSSET is an open source, spatial electrification tool estimating, analyzing and visualizing the most cost effective electrification option (grid, mini grid & stand-alone) for the achievement of electricity access goals. | Planning & Site Identification | https://www.energy.kth.se/energy-systems/completed-projects/open-source-spatial-electrification-toolkit-onsset-1.940024 | |
| Renewable Ninjas | Renewables.ninja allows you to run simulations of the hourly power output from wind and solar power plants located anywhere in the world. We have built this tool to help make scientific-quality weather and energy data available to a wider community. | Planning & Site Identification | Mini-grid site selection | https://www.renewables.ninja/ |
| OpenPlan | A open source GUI that offers the ability to model and optimize energy systems. | Planning & Site Identification | Easy to use GUI | https://open-plan.rl-institut.de/en/ |
| Nessi | A free tool that allows users to make sustainable energy system decision for buildings or neighborhoods by simulating different impacts. | Planning & Site Identification | Free online web tool | https://nessi.iwi.uni-hannover.de/en/ |
| Energy Access Explorer | An interactive online platform mapping the state of energy access in underserved areas across Africa and Asia. | Planning & Site Identification | Easy to use and free browser based data map. | https://www.energyaccessexplorer.org/ |
| GeoSIM | GEOSIM is a tool dedicated to decision support for planning rural electrification aimed at decision-makers and planners. It aims at preparing rural electrification scenarios including grid extension projects, decentralized energy projects (hydro, biomass and PV/ Wind hybrid mini grids) and other distributed energy projects. | Planning & Site Identification | Spatial Analyst
Demand Analyst Network Options Distributed Energy |
http://www.geosim.fr/index.php?page=home |
| SWARM | SWARM quickly and efficiently analyzes sites based on financial, technical, and geospatial data, and calculates optimal mini-grid locations, reticulation design, and estimated system size, resulting in a prioritized list of the most viable sites. | Planning & Site Identification | Products:
Honeycomb Asali SWARM |
https://www.powerhive.com/our-technology/ |
| Development Maps | An initiative of Village Infrastructure Angels to offer useful GIS, business intelligence and software services and tools to the global industry, particularly those interested in poverty alleviation and international development. | Planning & Site Identification | GIS,
Business intelligence and software services |
https://www.developmentmaps.org/ |
| Odyssey | Helps connect renewable energy projects with financiers and equipment suppliers. | Procurement | Finance
Procurement Remote Management Deal Origination Due Diligence Monitoring and analytics Feasibility Analysis Tenders/RBFs Monitoring and Evaluation |
https://odysseyenergysolutions.com/ |
| Flex port | Flexport offers tools for every aspect of the supply chain, from transportation, over inventory management to financial aspects | Supply Chain & Logistics | Digital Advertising
eCommerce Payments Cloud Computing Global Logistics |
https://www.flexport.com/ |
