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Solar radiation potential estimation

For estimation of electricity generated for predefined location (country and city) a PV Potencial Estimation Utility is available on IES web pages. Calculations for Europe, Africa and Mediteranian possible. The tool offers many different calculation options:

PV potencial with given inclination and orientation
Calculation of optimal inclination for given orientation
Calculation of optimal inclination and orientation
 

Additional information can be found in:

A Quasi-Physical Model for Converting Hourly Global Horizontal to Direct Normal Insolation;
Simplified Clear Sky Model for Direct and Diffuse Insolation on Horizontal Surfaces;
 

Sun path

Understanding the motion of the Sun is essential for proper solar systems design and the choice of proper location for solar collectors or photovoltaic modules. The solar path is described with the Sun path diagram. The Sun path diagram is a very useful tool in the early photovoltaic system design phase for shadowing determining. The most important geometrical parameters, which describe Earth-Sun relations, include declination /δ/, Sun height /α/ and Solar azimuth /φ/. They are defined as follows:

h = ±15^o· ( number of hours from/to solar noon )
n = day of the year
 

Sun path diagram, created with SunOrb 1.2



Solar azimuth



Sun height
 

According to the equations above we can estimate the most proper photovoltaic modules tilt employing the following equation:

Declination



Optimal tilt angle at noon (toward south oriented plane) for latitudes 30°, 40°, 50° and 60°
 

Declination changes throughout the year, therefore, the optimal tilt angle changes as well. The optimal tilt angle - at noon - for some latitudes is presented in the picture above.
 

Tilt and azimuth angle of photovoltaic modules

The proper tilt and azimuth angle choice is by far more important for photovoltaic systems design than solar thermal system design. Manual or automatic tilt angle adjustment can increase the total light-electricity conversion up to 30 % and more in locations with high values of solar radiation. Incidence angle should be as close to 90° as possible. Photovoltaic module tilt angle and location choice in general require more care than solar collectors tilt angle and location choice. Shaded locations, including partially shaded, are not suitable for photovoltaic module fixation. Modules should be south oriented. The following general recommendations should be considered, if you design a photovoltaic system:

Yearly average maximum output power - the photovoltaic modules tilt angle should equal local latitude.

Maximum output power in winter - the photovoltaic modules tilt angle should equal local latitude + 15° (max +20°). Such a tilt angle is a good solution in areas, where the winter load is greater than the summer load. The electricity consumption for lighting is greater during winter than summer.

Manual photovoltaic module tilt angle adjustment - in small systems modules should be fixed in a way, which allows manual adjustment of the module tilt angle. In March the tilt angle should be adjusted to equal latitude, in May the tilt angle equals latitude minus 10 degrees, in September the tilt angle equals latitude and in December the tilt angle equals latitude plus 10 degrees. With such an adjustment the maximal efficiency could be obtained throughout the year.

Accurate and maximum energy output of larger systems should be based on exact calculations, because energy output is influenced by different factors, such as local climatic conditions (solar radiation availability in different seasons, local cloudiness or fogginess in winter, temperature and so on). You will need a long-term solar radiation data for the chosen location.
 

Tools for site analysis

Solar Pathfinder - The Solar Pathfinder has been the standard in the solar industry for solar site analysis for decades. Its panoramic reflection of the site instantly provides a full year of accurate solar/shade data, making it the instrument of choice.

		Solar Pathfinder - a powerful non-electronic instrument that includes: - Printed Manual (online version also available) - Sunpath Diagrams (latitude & application specific) - Angle estimator (for determining altitude and azimuth) - White marking pen with extra leads - Tool box specifically designed for the Pathfinder™
Solar Pathfinder™ gives an entire year’s solar potential for a given site in just seconds. This non-electronic instrument is ready-to-use upon receipt of shipment. Solar Pathfinder Assistant is companion software that generates monthly sunpaths for each specific site latitude instead of relying on the stock latitude band diagrams. It includes weather data for North America, Central America, Europe, and Southwest Pacific. Click here to learn more

SunEye™ - The Solmetric SunEye™ (patent pending) is a hand held electronic device that allows users to instantly assess total potential solar energy given the shading of a particular site. Identifying the shading pattern early in the process reduces the expense of system and home design and improves the efficiency of the final system or house.

Solmetric iPV - is an iPhone® based site evaluation tool, providing full solar site analysis in an affordable hand held package.

HORIcatcher - HORIcatcher is an easy and fast tool to take outdoor pictures of the horizon. The pictures can be used to determine the solar energy input, sunshine duration and sun exposure reduced by obstacles like trees, houses or mountains. HORIcatcher is supplied with a digital camera.

Panorama master - with "Panorama master" you can make exact matched set of photos - base for panorama picture (see also "Horizon" below).

Horizon - software simulates sun path diagrams for arbitrary latitude.

Sonnenbahn Indikator Pro - is a simple tool for site evaluation.

Pilkington Sun Angle Calculator - This handy tool provides a relatively simple method of determining solar geometry variables for architectural design, such as designing shading devices or locating the position of the sun relative to a particular latitude and time.

Software for site analysis

Sun path chart - this program creates sun path charts in cartesian or polar coordinates for "typical" dates of each month (i.e.; days receiving about the mean amount of solar radiation for a day in the given month).

Shadow Analyser - Shadow Analyzer is an advanced parametric CAD tool for professionals in the area of Solar Energy Engineering and Architecture.

Languages:

pvPlanner - Simulation tool for planning and optimisation of photovoltaic systems using climate and geographic data at high temporal and spatial resolution and new generation high performance algorithms.

Languages:

METEONORM - Global Meteorological Database for Solar Energy and Applied Meteorology. METEONORM is a comprehensive climatological database for solar energy applications: a meteorological database containing comprehensive climatological data for solar engineering applications at all points of the globe between the polar circles; a computer program for climatological calculations; a data source for engineering design programs in the passive, active and photovoltaic application of solar energy with comprehensive data interfaces; a standardization tool permitting developers and users of engineering design programs access to a comprehensive, uniform data basis.

Languages:

Autodesk ECOTECT Analysis - is an industry leading building analysis program that allows designers to work easily in 3D and apply all the tools neccesary for an energy efficient and sustainable future.

Languages:

Sombrero - A PC-tool to calculate shadows on arbitrarily oriented surfaces. For both, active use of solar energy (domestic hot water, photovoitaics) as well as for passive solar architecture, shading or lighting of planes plays an important role SOMBRERO provides quantitative results for the shading of collectors or windows by buildings, trees, overhangs or the horizon.

Solar radiation and site analysis - related web sites

Focus Solar - Focus Solar is a leading provider of solar energy information services for the design, planning, and performance monitoring of PV systems. The specialty of Focus Solar is the use of weather satellites for solar energy applications. PV system planners and developers derive a unique value from the combination of geophysical science and PV engineering. Service is available in English, Spanish, and German. Free information is offered for PV system monitoring and a survey of PV product quality.

Languages:

Geomodel - high resolution solar radiation and temperature data for any location or region, solar maps, and simulation tools for solar energy technologies (PV, CSP, CPV, solar heating/cooling).

Languages:

Renewable resource Data Center - The RReDC provides information on several types of renewable energy resources in the United States, in the form of publications, data, and maps. An extensive dictionary of renewable energy related terms is also provided.

Languages:

Logiciel CalSol - Estimation de l'énergie solaire disponible pour une application ´nergétique.

Languages:

GIS Assessment of Solar Energy Resource in Europe - On this site you can find an information on GIS-based inventory of solar energy resource and estimations of the potential photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation in Europe.

Languages:

Dr.Andrew Marsh - personal website

Languages:

Volker Quaschning - private web site about renewable energy use and application.

Languages:

Photovoltaics and snow - private PV related web site. Interesting section about snow and photovoltaic modules also included. Available in dutch language only.

Languages:

More information and some useful on-line tools

Sun Position Calculator - on Line tool by Volker Quaschning. Calculation of Sun Position, Sunrise and Sunset.
Meeus, J.: Astronomical Algorithms; Willman-Bell Inc., Richmond, VI, 1999.
Muneer, T.: Solar Radiation and Daylight Models; Elsevier, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 2004.
Grena, R.: An algorithm for the computation of the solar position; Solar Energy Volume 82, Issue 5, May 2008, 462-470.
Scharmer, K, Greif, J.: The European Solar Radiation Atlas, Vol. 1: Fundamentals and maps.
Scharmer, K, Greif, J.: The European Solar Radiation Atlas, Vol. 2: Database and exploitation software.