24/04/2016

PVPerformanceModelingCollaborative|PlaneofArray(POA)Irradiance

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Plane of Array (POA)

Irradiance

Home / Modeling Steps / 1. Weather and Design

/ Plane of Array (POA) Irradiance

In this step the irradiance data is transposed to the plane of the array.

Modeling
Steps
32

1.

Weather
and
Design
3

Sun
Position
8

Irradiance
&
Insolation

The sub-models included in this step include various array tracking

algorithms, estimates for the re ectivity of the ground (albedo), and
models to calculate the di use irradiance on the array from the sky.
The calculation of the incident irradiance on the array is critical for
modeling the performance of a PV system. This calculation involves:
De ning or determining the orientation of the array, which can be
either xed or variable in time(tracking arrays).
Estimating the contributions of the beam and di use irradiance
components (sky di use and ground re ected di use).
Alternatively, one can measure the plane of array irradiance directly
with a pyranometer, reference cell, or reference module mounted in
the same orientation of the array. The analyst must understand the
di erent characteristics of these sensors to ensure that any
subsequent corrections made to the measured POA irradiance are

Weather
Observations
5

Array
Orientation

appropriate. For example, a matched reference cell or module

probably has the same re ective properties of the modules in the
array, so re ective losses are inherently included in the measured
value and should not be corrected for again.
A fundamental step in calculating PV performance is determining the
irradiance incident on the plane of the array (POA) as a function of
time. This POA irradiance is dependent upon several factors,

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24/04/2016

PVPerformanceModelingCollaborative|PlaneofArray(POA)Irradiance

including:

Plane

Sun Position

of

Array Orientation ( xed or tracking)

Array

Irradiance Components (Direct and Di use)

(POA)

Ground Surface Re ectivity (Albedo)

Irradiance

Shading (near and far obstructions)

Calculating

Mathematically POA irradiance,

is:

POA
Irradiance
4

Shading,

where

Soiling,

re ected component, and

and
Reflection

Losses

2.

10

DCModule

is the POA beam component,

is the POA ground-

is the POA sky-di use component.

Content contributed by Sandia National Laboratories

IV
Characteristics
3.

DCArray
IV
4.

DCtoAC
Conversion
5.

ACSystem
Output

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PVPerformanceModelingCollaborative|PlaneofArray(POA)Irradiance

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