Open williamhobbs opened 2 years ago
Note that SSC already has decomposition code for DISC/DIRINT in /shared/lib_irradproc.cpp
, so that part might already be done
Thanks, @kanderso-nrel. I made a small update to my original comment based on this.
Another request for this feature: https://sam.nrel.gov/forum/forum-general/4008
Problem: SAM doesn't allow weather files that only have GHI measurements for irradiance.
Possible solution: SAM could add decomposition models to calculate DNI/DHI from GHI, allowing users use weather files that only include GHI (and temperature and wind speed).
Alternatives: Alternative options I have considered:
Additional context: SAM currently requires either 2 irradiance measurements (2 of: GHI, DHI, and DNI) or POA irradiance in a weather file. But some users may have access to high quality ground measurements that only include GHI*. Being able to use these ground measurements could be beneficial, particularly for things like sub-hourly analysis. Use-case examples include PV-Battery with PV smoothing dispatch and sub-hourly clipping analysis.
Regarding specific decomposition models, Erbs (used by PVsyst) and/or DIRINT (found to have lowest error of several models here: https://www.osti.gov/pages/servlets/purl/1235343) could make good options. Both are available in https://github.com/pvlib/pvlib-python (https://pvlib-python.readthedocs.io/en/stable/api.html#dni-estimation-models).
(edited after the helpful comment from @kanderso-nrel below): Since SAM already uses a version of DIRINT for decomposition in some options for POA as input, this functionality is similar to existing functionality in SAM.
* For example, from a nearby solar plant that has been operating for a year or more. These facilities typically include GHI and POA, but POA measurements could be for different tracking/orientation.