Photovoltaic power estimation tool using a solar radiation numerical model

Abstract

A tool based on a solar radiation numerical model for the evaluation of the suitability of different possible locations for photovoltaic power stations is presented. It allows the user to estimate the solar radiation in a given place as well as the photovoltaic power generation, and compare the results with those obtained for other locations. The solar radiation model is implemented taking into account the terrain surface with the use of 2-D adaptive meshes of triangles, which are made using a refinement/derefinement procedure according to the variations of terrain surface, orography and albedo. To find the optimal location for obtaining the maximum power generation, the effect of shadows is considered. The solar radiation is first computed for clear-sky conditions, considering the different components of radiation. The real-sky radiation is computed daily starting from the results of clear-sky radiation. The maps of clear-sky index are obtained from a spatial interpolation of observational data that are available for each day at several points of the zone under consideration. Finally, the solar radiation maps of a month are calculated from the daily results. Taking into account the photovoltaic cell model, the electric power generation can be deduced from the obtained radiation data.