Difference between revisions of "Load and solar resource comparison"
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[[Category:Site evaluation]] | [[Category:Site evaluation]] | ||
| − | The design process for an off-grid PV system should use conservative, worst-case values to ensure that the system is capable of meeting the energy needs of users throughout the year. There are many locations that have a significant seasonal variance in [[Weather and solar resource evaluation|solar resource]] due to poor weather or latitude. Many off-grid PV systems will see a significant variance in [[Load evaluation|how loads are used throughout the year]], especially in locations that are only seasonally occupied. These two different factors - load usage vs. solar resource - make it important to determine what month to use in the system design as the worst-case scenario. An analysis of loads and usage could be performed on a monthly basis, but the most drastic shift in usage likely occurs between the major seasons in a given region meaning two | + | The design process for an off-grid PV system should use conservative, worst-case values to ensure that the system is capable of meeting the energy needs of users throughout the year. There are many locations that have a significant seasonal variance in [[Weather and solar resource evaluation|solar resource]] due to poor weather or latitude. Many off-grid PV systems will see a significant variance in [[Load evaluation|how loads are used throughout the year]], especially in locations that are only seasonally occupied. These two different factors - load usage vs. solar resource - make it important to determine what month to use in the system design as the worst-case scenario. An analysis of loads and usage could be performed on a monthly basis, but the most drastic shift in usage likely occurs between the major seasons in a given region meaning two times per year. Determining the worst-case month can be done using a simple table and a quick calculation using [[Weather and solar resource evaluation|monthly insolation data]] and [[Load evaluation|Average daily Wh estimates]] for the two different time periods October - March and April - September. The values and calculation can be performed in Wh or kWh - the ratio is what is important. The two following values used for the design should be chosen from the month with the highest ratio of average daily watt-hours relative to average monthly insolation: |
*Design daily insolation | *Design daily insolation | ||
Revision as of 11:49, 19 December 2020
The design process for an off-grid PV system should use conservative, worst-case values to ensure that the system is capable of meeting the energy needs of users throughout the year. There are many locations that have a significant seasonal variance in solar resource due to poor weather or latitude. Many off-grid PV systems will see a significant variance in how loads are used throughout the year, especially in locations that are only seasonally occupied. These two different factors - load usage vs. solar resource - make it important to determine what month to use in the system design as the worst-case scenario. An analysis of loads and usage could be performed on a monthly basis, but the most drastic shift in usage likely occurs between the major seasons in a given region meaning two times per year. Determining the worst-case month can be done using a simple table and a quick calculation using monthly insolation data and Average daily Wh estimates for the two different time periods October - March and April - September. The values and calculation can be performed in Wh or kWh - the ratio is what is important. The two following values used for the design should be chosen from the month with the highest ratio of average daily watt-hours relative to average monthly insolation:
- Design daily insolation
- Design daily watt-hours required
Step 1: Determine monthly ratio of consumption to solar resource
| Month | Average daily insolation | Average daily watt-hours required | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | |||
| February | |||
| March | |||
| April | |||
| May | |||
| June | |||
| July | |||
| August | |||
| September | |||
| October | |||
| November | |||
| December |
- Month: The month of the year.
- Average daily insolation: Solar resource data obtained for the location from Weather and solar resource data sources.
- Average daily watt-hours required from load evaluation.
- Ratio = Average daily watt-hours required ÷ Average monthly insolation
Step 2: Determine design values
| Design daily insolation | = Average monthly insolation from month with the highest ratio ÷ 30 |
|---|
| Design daily watt-hours required | = Average daily watt-hours from month with the highest ratio |
|---|
