Question
Asked 12 September 2021

How can I calculate the solar power output using irradiance ?

I'm working on predicting solar power output using machine learning, but I can't find a public dabases of solar power output with 1 minute step.
I only find databases with 1 hour step, and an other databases of irradiance with 1 minute step. So I decided to use this databases to calculate the power solar output for each 1 minute, and then use the results to train my machine learning model...
I've seen that there's a linear model that we can use to calculate the power solar output using irradiance.
Does anyone know how to find it ? or another solution ?

Most recent answer

Popular answers (1)

Hussein A Kazem
Sohar University
The output power of a PV array depends on the available solar radiation (G) and the ambient temperature (T). The output power of a PV array increases linearly as the solar radiation increases, and decreases as the ambient temperature increases. Thus, the instantaneous output power of a PV array can be given by,
PPV(t) = Ppeak(G/Gstandard) – αT (Tc – Tstandard)
where Gstandard and Tstandard are the standard test conditions for solar radiation and cell temperature, respectively and αT is the temperature coefficient of the PV module power which can be obtained from the datasheet.
For more information on prediction PV power in term of solar radiation using dataset, check the following papers:
  • Jabar Yousif, Hussein A. Kazem, John Boland, “Predictive Models for Photovoltaic Electricity Production in Hot Weather Conditions”, MDPI- Energies, Vol.10, Issue 7, September 2017, page. 971.
  • Hussein A. Kazem, Jabar Yousif, “Comparison of prediction methods of photovoltaic power system production using a measured dataset”, Elsevier-Energy Conversion and Management (ECM, ISSN: 0196-8904), UK, Vol. 148, September 2017, pp. 1070–1081.
  • Hussein A. Kazem, Tamer Khatib, and K. Sopian, “Sizing of a standalone photovoltaic/ battery system at minimum cost for remote housing electrification in Sohar, Oman”, Elsevier-Energy and Building, Netherlands, 2013, Vol. 6C, pp. 108-115.
8 Recommendations

All Answers (10)

Hussein A Kazem
Sohar University
The output power of a PV array depends on the available solar radiation (G) and the ambient temperature (T). The output power of a PV array increases linearly as the solar radiation increases, and decreases as the ambient temperature increases. Thus, the instantaneous output power of a PV array can be given by,
PPV(t) = Ppeak(G/Gstandard) – αT (Tc – Tstandard)
where Gstandard and Tstandard are the standard test conditions for solar radiation and cell temperature, respectively and αT is the temperature coefficient of the PV module power which can be obtained from the datasheet.
For more information on prediction PV power in term of solar radiation using dataset, check the following papers:
  • Jabar Yousif, Hussein A. Kazem, John Boland, “Predictive Models for Photovoltaic Electricity Production in Hot Weather Conditions”, MDPI- Energies, Vol.10, Issue 7, September 2017, page. 971.
  • Hussein A. Kazem, Jabar Yousif, “Comparison of prediction methods of photovoltaic power system production using a measured dataset”, Elsevier-Energy Conversion and Management (ECM, ISSN: 0196-8904), UK, Vol. 148, September 2017, pp. 1070–1081.
  • Hussein A. Kazem, Tamer Khatib, and K. Sopian, “Sizing of a standalone photovoltaic/ battery system at minimum cost for remote housing electrification in Sohar, Oman”, Elsevier-Energy and Building, Netherlands, 2013, Vol. 6C, pp. 108-115.
8 Recommendations
Qamar Ul Islam
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Follow these steps:
  1. Solar panel watts x average hours of sunlight x 75% = daily watt-hours. As an example, let's say you have 250-watt solar panels and live in a place where you get 5 hours of sunlight per day.
  2. 250 watts x 5 hours x .75 = 937.5 daily watt hours.
  3. 937.5 / 1000 = 0.937
Kind Regards
Qamar Ul Islam
Omar H. Alzoubi
Al al-Bayt University
Hi Qamar,
There is a good reference that can help you. The reference is :
Modeling of Photovoltaic Systems Using MATLAB: Simplified Green Codes, Tamer Khatib, Wilfried Elmenreich
This reference can provide you with answers to your questions.
I hope this can help you
BR
Abdelhalim abdelnaby Zekry
Ain Shams University
welcome!
In order to get the output power given the input irradiance you need to multiply the input by the conversion efficiency. You can find data for the conversion efficiency
for different commertial solar cells as a function of T and the irradiance G.
It is assumed that Eta is more less independent on G and its dependence on temperature is known.
This could be a possible solution.
Best wishes
8 Recommendations
Shukla Poddar
UNSW Sydney
Hi Saad Benslimane,
You can model the PV power output at your desired time interval using the PVLIB package in python if you have information about the particular PV panel type that you are interested. You will need to give irradiance, temperature and wind as inputs to obtain the desired power output.
Yo can have a look at the the PVLIB package here, https://pvlib-python.readthedocs.io/en/stable/. I have added some previous literature that might be useful.
Best wishes!
Vladimir Kubov
Petro Mohyla Black Sea State University
The graphs show examples of changes in the photocurrent Isc with a rate of 1 minute on a 10-day interval and for the selected days.
The weekly average photocurrent values correlate with the cloudiness indices.
Details on the measurement conditions are contained in the book.
Omar Hazem MOHAMMED
Northern Technical University
I am totally agree with @Hussein A Kazem's and Vladimir Kubov
3 Recommendations
Bablu K. Ghosh
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
Solar power output depends on your cell or module type, materials and its arrangement of array.
Normally solar irradiance determine efficiency of a panel;
Say, poly Si standard module of of power rating 125 W/m2 at standard condition 1.5 air mass but irradiation (av) 1200 w/m2 in any location
So efficiency of that location would be promoted as (125/1000)x (1200/1000) x 100% = 15%
But normally efficiency is (125/1000) x 100% = 12.5%
Total panel area required = 2500 /(125 x1.2) = 16.6 m2 ; dimension of each panel = 1.1mx 1.6 m =1.75 m2
So, total 16.6/1.75 = 10 panels are required
But normal standard 1000 w/m2 irradiance required area = 20 m2
Panel required 20/1.75 m=12 panels
1 Recommendation

Similar questions and discussions

How to calculate the per unit cost of solar power generation?
Question
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  • Khairul Eahsun FahimKhairul Eahsun Fahim
How to calculate the per unit solar power generation cost ( $/KWH). Can anybody shed some light on step by step process? This is what I found on the internet:
The per unit generation cost of solar energy is calculated by determining the total cost of installing and operating a solar power system and then dividing it by the total amount of electricity generated over its lifetime. Here are the steps to calculate it:
Initial Investment (Capital Cost): Calculate the total cost of installing the solar power system. This includes the cost of solar panels, inverters, mounting hardware, wiring, installation labor, and any other associated costs.
Incentives and Subsidies: Subtract any available incentives, tax credits, or subsidies from the initial investment cost. Governments and utilities often offer financial incentives to promote solar energy adoption.
Operational and Maintenance Costs: Estimate the ongoing operational and maintenance costs over the lifetime of the solar system. This includes expenses for cleaning, monitoring, repairs, and replacement of components.
Lifetime Energy Production: Estimate the total amount of electricity the solar system is expected to generate over its lifetime. This can be based on historical data, solar panel specifications, and local weather conditions.
Discount Rate: Choose an appropriate discount rate, which represents the opportunity cost of tying up capital in the solar system. Typically, this rate is based on the expected return on investment for alternative uses of the same capital.
Calculate Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE): The LCOE is a common metric for comparing the per unit generation cost of different energy sources, including solar. It is calculated using the following formula:
LCOE = (Total Cost - Total Incentives) / (Total Lifetime Energy Production * (1 + Discount Rate)^Lifetime)
Total Cost is the initial investment minus incentives.
Total Lifetime Energy Production is the estimated energy output of the solar system over its lifetime.
Lifetime is the number of years the solar system is expected to operate.
Discount Rate is the annual interest rate used to calculate the present value of future cash flows.
Per Unit Generation Cost: The per unit generation cost is typically expressed in terms of cents per kilowatt-hour (¢/kWh). This represents the cost of producing one kilowatt-hour of electricity from the solar system.

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