The development and verification of the Perez diffuse radiation model

Technical Report · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7024029· OSTI ID:7024029

Perez, R; Stewart, R; Seals, R; Guertin, T

The purpose of this work was to determine site specific coefficients (within the US) for use with the Perez diffuse irradiance model. The model predicts diffuse irradiance on tilted planes of any orientation for all insolation conditions, based on the knowledge of direct and global (or diffuse) irradiance. This is a component of SNLA's photovoltaic simulation program PVFORM. The model consists of (1) a pre-set geometric framework that describes the main non-isotropic features of sky radiance--circumsolar and horizon/zenith effects--and (2) an experimentally derived component that describes the variations of these anisotropic effects with weather conditions. A measurement program was initiated to provide the data necessary for (1) deriving the model's experimental component for several US locations, (2) comparing model configuration and evaluating performance at these locations and (3) evaluating site dependency and recommending, if justified, model configurations adapted to particular environments/climates. Five environmentally distinct sites were selected based on their potential impact on model performance. In addition, work was performed to improve sky condition parameterization and eliminate all unjustified complexities of the original model. The main results of this work are the following: (1) the model algorithm has been greatly simplified while conserving original accuracy, (2) the physical soundness and effectiveness of the insolation parameterization method have been improved, (3) one unique model, with a fixed set of coefficients, has been shown to be sufficiently accurate to describe sites within the US. 22 refs., 19 figs., 14 tabs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); State Univ. of New York, Albany (USA). Atmospheric Sciences Research Center
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 7024029
• Report Number(s): SAND88-7030; ON: DE89002469
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CLIMATES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CONVERSION
CSP
Concentrating Solar Power
DATA
DATA ANALYSIS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
INFORMATION
IRRADIATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
NUMERICAL DATA
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
RADIATION ABSORPTION ANALYSIS
SIMULATION