HOMER Pro 3.15 is a powerful engine. It can model hydrogen fuel cells, complex tariffs, and advanced flow batteries with a precision that was impossible a decade ago. But no amount of code can replace engineering judgment.
Weather data accuracy is foundational to any renewable energy model. In 3.15, HOMER Pro has streamlined its access to high-quality datasets:
Don't forget to factor in spinning reserves, minimum generator load ratios, and realistic battery state-of-charge (SoC) limits. Ignoring these will result in an overly optimistic model that fails in the field.
For those new to the software or upgrading from an older version, here is a typical project workflow in version 3.15.
While the core functionality of HOMER Pro remains consistent across versions, each release brings important improvements, feature additions, and bug fixes. HOMER Pro 3.15 was officially available as a stable version, with subsequent minor updates (3.15.2 and 3.15.3) released in early 2023 to refine the user experience and address critical issues.
Existing annual subscribers receive the update automatically. The update is not backward-compatible in all cases; simulation files saved in 3.15 cannot be opened in 3.14. However, 3.15 can open older files.
Originally developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and now managed by UL Solutions, HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) Pro nested three core capabilities into one software package:
Use the new weather data integration tools. Go to Resources → Solar → Global Solar Atlas to pull GHI, DNI, and DIF data for your latitude/longitude. For wind, use ERA5 reanalysis data.
: Improved "Optimizer" sizing for hydrogen loads to ensure it functions as reliably as electric load sizing. Multi-year Cost Escalators
Even with a mature platform, users encounter occasional glitches. Here are fixes for common 3.15 issues:
Advanced battery technologies like lithium-ion, lead-acid, or vanadium flow batteries.