Educational solar energy tool in Matlab environment

In this work, an educational tool to be used in solar energy courses is proposed. It consists of software, named Softsun, with educational purposes, which allows performing some tasks applicable to solar thermal and photovoltaic systems. Among other things, this software allows: obtaining the I-V curve of diode models using data from manufacturers, calculating solar radiation components to use the f-chart or utilizability methods for solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, and dealing with economic aspects. This software was developed within Matlab, being able to simulate several processes with a user-friendly platform. Softsun also has other functions, such as support, theories, conversion units and reports, if required by the user. The main purpose is an educational tool in the area of solar energy, which helps the teaching and learning process commonly used in engineering.