Energy Simulation Operational Systems Software: A Critical Review for Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle Integration

Abstract

The synergistic integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure presents a transformative pathway toward sustainable transportation and decentralized energy systems. However, the technical and economic viability of this integration is critically dependent on sophisticated energy simulation operational systems software. This paper provides a critical review of state-of-the-art software platforms including MATLAB/Simulink, PVsyst, SAM (System Advisor Model), TRNSYS, and HOMER Pro evaluating their capabilities, limitations, and applicability for modeling solar-powered EV ecosystems. The analysis focuses on six core operational dimensions: (1) dynamic solar irradiance and temperature modeling, (2) EV battery degradation and charging profile simulation, (3) real-time load matching and grid interaction, (4) energy storage system (ESS) optimization, (5) vehicle-to-grid (V2G) bidirectional power flow modeling, and (6) lifecycle cost and carbon emission analytics. Key findings reveal significant gaps: most software lacks native co-simulation frameworks for concurrent solar-EV-Ess dynamics, inadequately handles stochastic driving and parking behaviors, and underestimates thermal management interactions. Furthermore, few platforms offer scalable, cloud-based operational digital twins for real-time supervisory control. The review concludes that while existing tools provide foundational capabilities, next-generation software must integrate machine learning for predictive energy management, edge computing for low-latency control, and standardized communication protocols (e.g., ISO 15118, OCPP) to enable true solar-powered EV integration. This work serves as a technical roadmap for software developers, energy system operators, and automotive engineers.