There are various software program for purpose of assessment of solar energy both solar heating and solar photovoltaic electricity through solar module panels.
Watsun ( Version 1.2)
A solar energy software produced by watsun simulation laboratory, University o Waterloo. Average hourly values are required as climate data, but synthetic hourly values can be created if only monthly values are available. The program has standard models for indoor and outdoor pools with and without active solar heating. There are also options for sizing such things as traditional solar-heated DHW systems and process heat systems. There is also a version for solar cell or solar modules panels systems: WATSUN-PV. (photovoltaics)
Minsum (version 4)
Developed by IEA.SH ( International Energy Agency, Solar Heating), VUAB (Vattenfall Utvecklings AB), and SP after an original version by Studsvick AB< Sweden. Older programs in DOS. Consists of a solar collector model (UMSORT) and a system model (MINSUN). UMSORT calculates the heat output of a solar collector at a number of working temperatures. MINSUN calculate the operation of a solar heating plant with a seasonal store. The solar collector models in the program take into account performance, shading in the field, and climate data (average hourly values). The user can choose between flat-plate, concentrated or evacuated solar collectors. A special version of UMSORT is used by SP for the energy specification of solar collectors. VUAB has developed a windows version of UMSORT in TRNSYS, which is called WINSUN.
Poolsol
Developed by Teknologiskt Institut, Denmark. A user-friendly program specially written for outdoor pools with active solar Heating and without DHW production. Has detailed models for pools, solar collectors and component parts such as pipe systems. Great Freedom of choice for data input means that many alternatives can be studied. The climate data are limited to Denmark.
FCHART
Developed by FCHART software, Wisconsin, USA. Good program for estimates. It is possible to calculate many different types of solar heating system. The latest version also contains calculations for pools with and without active solar heating. For more information: www.fchart.com.
Zwembab
Produced by TPD, Delft, Holland. A detailed simulation program for supercomputers, primarily intended for calculations of pool facilities.
T*sol
A German program for a number of standard types of system for solar heating. Modern with graphic presentation of systems and results. Climate data are available for a large number of places.There is also a solar electricity program PV*SOL. For more information: www.valentin.de
TRNSYS
Modular simulation program developed in the USA and Germany. Is frequently used in Europe, and is common in research circles. Applicable to both solar cell and solar heating systems. Detailed system calculations (component models) can be made, but ask a great deal of the user. Building models can be created with several zones. An additional tool, PRESIM, from Sweden makes system construction easier, and the TRANSED tool allows the less familiar user to utilize TRNSYS models in a similar way to simpler programs. For more information: http://sel.me.wisc.edu/