PV F-CHART
Pros
- Uses established, peer-reviewed solar modeling methods developed at the University of Wisconsin.
- Provides detailed hourly estimates of electricity production and load throughout the year.
- Includes a built-in weather database covering more than 300 global locations.
- Offers extensive lifecycle financial analysis, including time-of-day rates and cash-flow calculations.
- Fast calculation speeds allow engineers to compare multiple design variables efficiently.
- Uses transparent one-time license pricing without recurring subscription fees.
Cons
- The legacy Windows interface lacks modern cloud capabilities and real-time collaboration tools.
- Limited native integrations mean users may need to transfer data manually between different applications.
- Does not provide high-resolution aerial mapping or interactive 3D shading and terrain visualization.
Designing efficient solar energy systems requires accurate performance data and financial metrics. Engineers and solar professionals often face the challenge of predicting how a system will perform across changing seasons and varied utility pricing structures. PV F-CHART addresses these requirements by delivering structured photovoltaic system analysis that combines solar performance engineering with detailed financial modeling.
The software is built for solar design engineers, system operators, consultants, and academic researchers who need reliable data to support preliminary assessments, technical optimization, and investment decisions. By using validated estimation methods, it helps teams streamline pre-feasibility workflows without requiring complex spatial modeling.
What Is PV F-CHART?
PV F-CHART is a comprehensive software program dedicated to the analysis and design of photovoltaic systems. Developed by F-Chart Software, a company founded by engineering pioneers S.A. Klein and W.A. Beckman, the platform produces monthly average performance estimates for every hour of the day.
The platform uses specialized calculation methods developed at the University of Wisconsin. These methods apply solar radiation utilizability to account for statistical variations in solar radiation and actual electrical loads over time.
PV F-CHART supports several system types, including grid-connected installations, battery storage configurations, and stand-alone systems. This makes it a versatile baseline analysis tool for commercial, residential, and educational applications.
Features
- Photovoltaic performance estimation: Calculates expected solar energy production using monthly averages for every hour of the day.
- Comprehensive weather database: Includes meteorological data for more than 300 locations worldwide and allows users to create custom location files.
- Load profile customization: Supports detailed hourly load profiles for each month, combined with statistical variations to reflect realistic consumption patterns.
- Utility transaction analysis: Accounts for differences between electricity purchase and export rates, including time-of-day utility pricing.
- Lifecycle economic modeling: Evaluates long-term financial feasibility by analyzing cash flows, initial investment, equipment depreciation, and monthly parameter variations.
- Solar tracking configurations: Simulates fixed-tilt systems, single-axis trackers, dual-axis trackers, and solar concentrators.
- Flexible reporting: Converts simulation data into graphs and numerical tables for immediate evaluation or inclusion in engineering reports.
- Dual unit support: Allows users to work with either English or SI metric units according to regional project requirements.
PV F-CHART Pricing
PV F-CHART is sold through upfront software licenses, with different options for commercial and academic users.
- Demo version: A working demonstration edition is available as a free download for Windows.
- Single-user license: A professional or commercial license costs $400.
- Academic license: A license intended for universities and educational institutions costs $600.
- Replacement academic license file: Lost academic license data can be replaced for an administrative fee of $100.
- Academic site license: Educational organizations can host the software on a central server for use by students on individual computers.
Integrations
Public information about integrations is limited, so organizations should confirm compatibility with their existing software before purchasing the platform.
PV F-CHART operates primarily as a local Windows application. It can export reports and calculation results into printed documents, digital image formats, LaTeX files, and PDFs for use in external engineering reports and academic publications.
How to Set Up PV F-CHART
- Download the executable installation package to a compatible Windows computer.
- Run the self-installing file to launch the local setup wizard.
- Follow the installation prompts and select the preferred software directory.
- Launch PV F-CHART and enter the commercial or academic license credentials to activate the full version.
- Open the preferences menu and configure default settings, including English or SI measurement units.
How to Use PV F-CHART
A typical workflow begins by defining the main system parameters and selecting whether the project uses a fixed array, single-axis tracking, dual-axis tracking, or solar concentrators. The user then chooses a location from the built-in database of more than 300 entries to load the relevant solar radiation and weather data.
Next, the designer enters hourly load profiles for each month and configures the applicable utility tariffs. These settings can include electricity purchase rates, export compensation, and specialized time-of-day pricing.
Once the technical and financial inputs are complete, the calculation engine generates performance and economic summaries. Users can examine the numerical results, create parametric graphs, and export the findings for use in engineering reports or project feasibility studies.
What You Can Produce with PV F-CHART
- Performance estimates: Long-term electricity generation summaries organized by hour and month.
- Economic summaries: Financial reports covering return on investment, net present worth, and cumulative cash flow.
- Parametric plots: Comparative charts illustrating relationships between changing system variables and expected performance.
- System input files: Standardized records containing component configurations, tracking arrangements, loads, and environmental variables.
FAQs
What does PV F-CHART do?
PV F-CHART is an engineering application that calculates the hourly and monthly energy output of photovoltaic systems and evaluates their lifecycle economics. It helps solar professionals analyze system performance using validated scientific methods developed at the University of Wisconsin.
Who is PV F-CHART best for?
The software is designed for solar engineers, consultants, system operators, researchers, and educational institutions evaluating the technical and financial viability of photovoltaic projects.
Is PV F-CHART free?
No, PV F-CHART is commercial software that requires an upfront license purchase. However, a free demonstration version is available for Windows users who want to evaluate its basic workflow.
What are the main limitations of PV F-CHART?
The platform uses a legacy Windows interface and does not provide cloud collaboration, live browser-based sharing, high-resolution aerial mapping, or interactive 3D terrain and shading analysis.
What are the best alternatives to PV F-CHART?
Common alternatives include PVsyst, Pylon Solar, BlueSol, and PVGIS. The best choice depends on whether the user requires detailed 3D spatial modeling or fast statistical and financial analysis.
