Improvements to PVWatts for Fixed and One-Axis Tracking Systems: Preprint
- Envision Energy
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
This work presents improvements to the widely used NREL PVWatts photovoltaic system energy model to improve modeling accuracy for typical fixed and one axis system designs. The aim is to calculate losses in the PV system assuming typical modern system design assumptions, while maintaining simplicity by keeping the required set of input parameters small. These improvements allow users to more credibly and quickly evaluate competing system designs in early stage feasibility. Common submodels for module cover, spectral, snow, tracker, transformer, plant controller, and self-shading losses, in addition to a bifacial gain option, are incorporated into the PVWatts model, and are shown to improve PVWatts' system performance prediction capabilities without major impact to ease of use.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1530705
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-6A20-74097
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Presented at the 46th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC 46), 16-21 June 2019, Chicago, Illinois
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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