This paper proposes an energy‐harvesting‐aware model that aims to assess the performances of wireless sensor networks. Our model uses generalized stochastic Petri nets to define a sensor–neighbors relationship abstraction. The novelty of the proposed formulation is taking into account several real‐life considerations such as battery‐over breakdowns, unavailability of neighbors, retrial attempts, and sleeping mechanism in a single model. We use TimeNet tool to simulate the network behavior in order to evaluate its performance throughout different formulas after it had reached its steady state. Finally, we present a case study featuring the different solar energy recovery capabilities of the vast Algerian territory. The aim is to show with the presented model how to determine the kind of resources to be acquired in order to cope with the sensor deployment project requirements. The proposed model allows us to ensure that the battery energy level of sensors deployed in Algiers province for example is almost equal to 80% for 100 messages per day and (1 min/2 min) for (awakening time/sleeping time) ratio.