Photovoltaic Irradiance Modeling With Spatially Resolved Albedo
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for evaluating photovoltaic installations are prone to prediction errors, especially in bifacial installations, due to approximations, which can impact the profitability of solar energy production projects.
Innovation Solution
A method for evaluating photovoltaic installations that collects input data to determine irradiance parameters, including spatially resolved albedo, and uses these to calculate effective irradiance and energy production, with the option to optimize installation features for increased energy output, using a computer program to simulate and model thermal and electrical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If existing evaluation tools use simplified approximations, then the complexity of the evaluation process is reduced, but the prediction precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation process is segmented into multiple distinct steps: collecting input data, determining irradiance parameters (including spatially resolved albedo), calculating effective irradiance, and determining effective energy production. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, improving overall precision without overwhelming complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces spatially resolved albedo as a key parameter that varies across different locations and times. By incorporating this dynamic parameter instead of using fixed approximations, the prediction precision is significantly improved while the complexity is managed through systematic parameter determination
2Device complexity
If existing tools use constant albedo values, then the calculation complexity is reduced, but the accuracy for bifacial installations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by determining spatially resolved albedo values for different locations around the photovoltaic installation. Each location has its own albedo characteristic, allowing accurate calculation of reflected irradiance on the rear side of bifacial modules without requiring uniformly complex calculations everywhere
Solution Approach 2:
The albedo values for different locations are determined in advance as input data before the main irradiance calculation. This preliminary determination of spatially resolved albedo simplifies the subsequent irradiance calculation process while maintaining high accuracy for bifacial installations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method provides a more accurate evaluation of photovoltaic installations' energy production potential, allowing for optimized design and operation to maximize energy output, particularly in bifacial systems, by accounting for environmental and temporal variations in albedo and soiling levels.
Implementation Method 1
photovoltaic installations, which allow electricity to be produced from solar energy
Implementation Method 2
at least one irradiance parameter being a spatial variation of the albedo, called spatially resolved albedo, of a surface reflecting the sunlight on the photovoltaic modules
Data Source
AI summary
A method for evaluating the operation of a photovoltaic installation in an environment, the photovoltaic installation comprising several photovoltaic modules, the method being implemented by a computer and comprising the following steps: Collecting input data relative to the environment and to the photovoltaic installation, determining irradiance parameters to be used by an irradiance calculating model on the basis of the input data, at least one irradiance parameter being a spatial variation of the albedo, called spatially resolved albedo, of a surface reflecting the sunlight on the photovoltaic modules, determining the effective irradiance received by the photovoltaic installation on the basis of the irradiance calculating model, of the input data and of the determined irradiance parameter(s), and determining the effective energy produced by the photovoltaic installation as a function of the determined effective irradiance and of the input data.