Solar PV-Battery Sizing for SA Tourism: A Data and Simulation Backed Graphical Analysis Method

South Africa's significant energy challenges present an opportunity for sustainable tourism if Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and battery systems can be accurately sized. This study presents a simplified sizing approach that combines empirical data with simulation tools to create lookup graphs for sizing of PV-battery systems in the tourism sector. In order to produce these graphs, real- world post-installation data and varying operational scenarios from tourisms establishments are validated against the simulations results. The simulation varies the system's Depth of Discharge (DoD) and estimates the Self- Sufficiency Ratio (SSR) presented through graphical tools that guide system designers in customizing configurations to meet specific energy needs effectively. By validating the simulation results against real world installations with a RMS Error of 5.36%, we gain significant confidence in its results. Producing the graphs allows the simulation results to be used by less technical personnel, realizing a tool that scales the sizing procedure to non-technical personnel. This procedure addresses the gap created by poor sizing and operational settings.