Presenting a Model to Predict Changing Snow Albedo for Improving Photovoltaic Performance Simulation

Pike, Christopher; Riley, Daniel; Toal, Henry; Burnham, Laurie

doi:10.3390/solar4030019

Presenting a Model to Predict Changing Snow Albedo for Improving Photovoltaic Performance Simulation

Journal Article · Fri Aug 16 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Solar

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/solar4030019· OSTI ID:2429725

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As photovoltaic (PV) deployment increases worldwide, PV systems are being installed more frequently in locations that experience snow cover. The higher albedo of snow, relative to the ground, increases the performance of PV systems in northern and high-altitude locations by reflecting more light onto the PV modules. Accurate modeling of the snow’s albedo can improve estimates of PV system production. Typical modeling of snow albedo uses a simple two-value model that sets the albedo high when snow is present, and low when snow is not present. However, snow albedo changes over time as snow settles and melts and a binary model does not account for transitional changes, which can be significant. Here, we present and validate a model for estimating snow albedo as it changes over time. The model is simple enough to only require daily snow depth and hourly average temperature data, but can be improved through the addition of site-specific factors, when available. We validate this model to quantify its ability to more accurately predict snow albedo and compare the model’s performance against satellite imagery-based methods for obtaining historical albedo data. In addition, we perform modeling using the System Advisor Model (SAM) to show the impact of changes in albedo on energy modeling for PV systems. Overall, our albedo model has a significantly improved ability to predict the solar insolation on PV modules in real time, especially on bifacial PV modules where reflected irradiance plays a larger role in energy production.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 2429725

Journal Information:: Solar, Journal Name: Solar Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 4; ISSN SBSOCZ; ISSN 2673-9941

Publisher:: MDPI AGCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Switzerland

Language:: English

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