Clear sky

This section reviews the clear sky modeling capabilities of pvlib-python.

pvlib-python supports two ways to generate clear sky irradiance:

  1. A Location object’s get_clearsky() method.
  2. The functions contained in the clearsky module, including ineichen() and simplified_solis().

Users that work with simple time series data may prefer to use get_clearsky(), while users that want finer control, more explicit code, or work with multidimensional data may prefer to use the basic functions in the clearsky module.

The Location subsection demonstrates the easiest way to obtain a time series of clear sky data for a location. The Ineichen and Perez and Simplified Solis subsections detail the clear sky algorithms and input data.

We’ll need these imports for the examples below.

In [1]: import itertools

In [2]: import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

In [3]: import pandas as pd

# seaborn makes the plots look nicer
In [4]: import seaborn as sns

In [5]: sns.set_color_codes()

In [6]: import pvlib

In [7]: from pvlib import clearsky, atmosphere

In [8]: from pvlib.location import Location

Location

The easiest way to obtain a time series of clear sky irradiance is to use a Location object’s get_clearsky() method. The get_clearsky() method does the dirty work of calculating solar position, extraterrestrial irradiance, airmass, and atmospheric pressure, as appropriate, leaving the user to only specify the most important parameters: time and atmospheric attenuation. The time input must be a pandas.DatetimeIndex, while the atmospheric attenuation inputs may be constants or arrays. The get_clearsky() method always returns a pandas.DataFrame.

In [9]: tus = Location(32.2, -111, 'US/Arizona', 700, 'Tucson')

In [10]: times = pd.DatetimeIndex(start='2016-07-01', end='2016-07-04', freq='1min', tz=tus.tz)

In [11]: cs = tus.get_clearsky(times)  # ineichen with climatology table by default
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TypeError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-11-b622a8d2a256> in <module>()
----> 1 cs = tus.get_clearsky(times)  # ineichen with climatology table by default

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/location.py in get_clearsky(self, times, model, solar_position, dni_extra, **kwargs)
    204         if solar_position is None:
    205             solar_position = self.get_solarposition(times, pressure=pressure,
--> 206                                                     **kwargs)
    207 
    208         apparent_zenith = solar_position['apparent_zenith']

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/location.py in get_solarposition(self, times, pressure, temperature, **kwargs)
    165                                                pressure=pressure,
    166                                                temperature=temperature,
--> 167                                                **kwargs)
    168 
    169 

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in get_solarposition(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, method, temperature, **kwargs)
     98         ephem_df = spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude,
     99                               pressure, temperature,
--> 100                               how='numpy', **kwargs)
    101     elif method == 'pyephem':
    102         ephem_df = pyephem(time, latitude, longitude, pressure, temperature,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, temperature, delta_t, atmos_refract, how, numthreads, **kwargs)
    324     app_zenith, zenith, app_elevation, elevation, azimuth, eot = spa.solar_position(
    325         unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temperature, delta_t,
--> 326         atmos_refract, numthreads)
    327 
    328     result = pd.DataFrame({'apparent_zenith': app_zenith, 'zenith': zenith,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1149     result = do_calc(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure,
   1150                      temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads,
-> 1151                      sst, esd)
   1152 
   1153     if not isinstance(result, np.ndarray):

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position_numpy(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1058         return v, alpha, delta
   1059     m = sun_mean_longitude(jme)
-> 1060     eot = equation_of_time(m, alpha, delta_psi, epsilon)
   1061     H = local_hour_angle(v, lon, alpha)
   1062     xi = equatorial_horizontal_parallax(R)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in equation_of_time(sun_mean_longitude, geocentric_sun_right_ascension, longitude_nutation, true_ecliptic_obliquity)
    892     less = E < -20
    893     other = (E <= 20) & (E >= -20)
--> 894     E = greater * (E - 1440) + less * (E + 1440) + other * E
    895     return E
    896 

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _evaluate_numeric_binop(self, other)
   3458 
   3459                 from pandas.tseries.offsets import DateOffset
-> 3460                 other = self._validate_for_numeric_binop(other, op, opstr)
   3461 
   3462                 # handle time-based others

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _validate_for_numeric_binop(self, other, op, opstr)
   3435             other = _values_from_object(other)
   3436             if other.dtype.kind not in ['f', 'i']:
-> 3437                 raise TypeError("cannot evaluate a numeric op "
   3438                                 "with a non-numeric dtype")
   3439         elif isinstance(other, (DateOffset, np.timedelta64,

TypeError: cannot evaluate a numeric op with a non-numeric dtype

In [12]: cs.plot();

In [13]: plt.ylabel('Irradiance $W/m^2$');

In [14]: plt.title('Ineichen, climatological turbidity');
_images/location-basic.png

The get_clearsky() method accepts a model keyword argument and propagates additional arguments to the functions that do the computation.

In [15]: cs = tus.get_clearsky(times, model='ineichen', linke_turbidity=3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TypeError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-15-454773d55b1c> in <module>()
----> 1 cs = tus.get_clearsky(times, model='ineichen', linke_turbidity=3)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/location.py in get_clearsky(self, times, model, solar_position, dni_extra, **kwargs)
    204         if solar_position is None:
    205             solar_position = self.get_solarposition(times, pressure=pressure,
--> 206                                                     **kwargs)
    207 
    208         apparent_zenith = solar_position['apparent_zenith']

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/location.py in get_solarposition(self, times, pressure, temperature, **kwargs)
    165                                                pressure=pressure,
    166                                                temperature=temperature,
--> 167                                                **kwargs)
    168 
    169 

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in get_solarposition(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, method, temperature, **kwargs)
     98         ephem_df = spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude,
     99                               pressure, temperature,
--> 100                               how='numpy', **kwargs)
    101     elif method == 'pyephem':
    102         ephem_df = pyephem(time, latitude, longitude, pressure, temperature,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, temperature, delta_t, atmos_refract, how, numthreads, **kwargs)
    324     app_zenith, zenith, app_elevation, elevation, azimuth, eot = spa.solar_position(
    325         unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temperature, delta_t,
--> 326         atmos_refract, numthreads)
    327 
    328     result = pd.DataFrame({'apparent_zenith': app_zenith, 'zenith': zenith,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1149     result = do_calc(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure,
   1150                      temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads,
-> 1151                      sst, esd)
   1152 
   1153     if not isinstance(result, np.ndarray):

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position_numpy(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1058         return v, alpha, delta
   1059     m = sun_mean_longitude(jme)
-> 1060     eot = equation_of_time(m, alpha, delta_psi, epsilon)
   1061     H = local_hour_angle(v, lon, alpha)
   1062     xi = equatorial_horizontal_parallax(R)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in equation_of_time(sun_mean_longitude, geocentric_sun_right_ascension, longitude_nutation, true_ecliptic_obliquity)
    892     less = E < -20
    893     other = (E <= 20) & (E >= -20)
--> 894     E = greater * (E - 1440) + less * (E + 1440) + other * E
    895     return E
    896 

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _evaluate_numeric_binop(self, other)
   3458 
   3459                 from pandas.tseries.offsets import DateOffset
-> 3460                 other = self._validate_for_numeric_binop(other, op, opstr)
   3461 
   3462                 # handle time-based others

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _validate_for_numeric_binop(self, other, op, opstr)
   3435             other = _values_from_object(other)
   3436             if other.dtype.kind not in ['f', 'i']:
-> 3437                 raise TypeError("cannot evaluate a numeric op "
   3438                                 "with a non-numeric dtype")
   3439         elif isinstance(other, (DateOffset, np.timedelta64,

TypeError: cannot evaluate a numeric op with a non-numeric dtype

In [16]: cs.plot();

In [17]: plt.title('Ineichen, linke_turbidity=3');

In [18]: plt.ylabel('Irradiance $W/m^2$');
_images/location-ineichen.png 
In [19]: cs = tus.get_clearsky(times, model='simplified_solis', aod700=0.2, precipitable_water=3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TypeError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-19-ec7cf28b7549> in <module>()
----> 1 cs = tus.get_clearsky(times, model='simplified_solis', aod700=0.2, precipitable_water=3)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/location.py in get_clearsky(self, times, model, solar_position, dni_extra, **kwargs)
    204         if solar_position is None:
    205             solar_position = self.get_solarposition(times, pressure=pressure,
--> 206                                                     **kwargs)
    207 
    208         apparent_zenith = solar_position['apparent_zenith']

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/location.py in get_solarposition(self, times, pressure, temperature, **kwargs)
    165                                                pressure=pressure,
    166                                                temperature=temperature,
--> 167                                                **kwargs)
    168 
    169 

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in get_solarposition(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, method, temperature, **kwargs)
     98         ephem_df = spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude,
     99                               pressure, temperature,
--> 100                               how='numpy', **kwargs)
    101     elif method == 'pyephem':
    102         ephem_df = pyephem(time, latitude, longitude, pressure, temperature,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, temperature, delta_t, atmos_refract, how, numthreads, **kwargs)
    324     app_zenith, zenith, app_elevation, elevation, azimuth, eot = spa.solar_position(
    325         unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temperature, delta_t,
--> 326         atmos_refract, numthreads)
    327 
    328     result = pd.DataFrame({'apparent_zenith': app_zenith, 'zenith': zenith,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1149     result = do_calc(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure,
   1150                      temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads,
-> 1151                      sst, esd)
   1152 
   1153     if not isinstance(result, np.ndarray):

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position_numpy(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1058         return v, alpha, delta
   1059     m = sun_mean_longitude(jme)
-> 1060     eot = equation_of_time(m, alpha, delta_psi, epsilon)
   1061     H = local_hour_angle(v, lon, alpha)
   1062     xi = equatorial_horizontal_parallax(R)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in equation_of_time(sun_mean_longitude, geocentric_sun_right_ascension, longitude_nutation, true_ecliptic_obliquity)
    892     less = E < -20
    893     other = (E <= 20) & (E >= -20)
--> 894     E = greater * (E - 1440) + less * (E + 1440) + other * E
    895     return E
    896 

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _evaluate_numeric_binop(self, other)
   3458 
   3459                 from pandas.tseries.offsets import DateOffset
-> 3460                 other = self._validate_for_numeric_binop(other, op, opstr)
   3461 
   3462                 # handle time-based others

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _validate_for_numeric_binop(self, other, op, opstr)
   3435             other = _values_from_object(other)
   3436             if other.dtype.kind not in ['f', 'i']:
-> 3437                 raise TypeError("cannot evaluate a numeric op "
   3438                                 "with a non-numeric dtype")
   3439         elif isinstance(other, (DateOffset, np.timedelta64,

TypeError: cannot evaluate a numeric op with a non-numeric dtype

In [20]: cs.plot();

In [21]: plt.title('Simplfied Solis, aod700=0.2, precipitable_water=3');

In [22]: plt.ylabel('Irradiance $W/m^2$');
_images/location-solis.png

See the sections below for more detail on the clear sky models.

Ineichen and Perez

The Ineichen and Perez clear sky model parameterizes irradiance in terms of the Linke turbidity [Ine02]. pvlib-python implements this model in the pvlib.clearsky.ineichen() function.

Turbidity data

pvlib includes a file with monthly climatological turbidity values for the globe. The code below creates turbidity maps for a few months of the year. You could run it in a loop to create plots for all months.

In [23]: import calendar

In [24]: import os

In [25]: import scipy.io

In [26]: pvlib_path = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(pvlib.clearsky.__file__))

In [27]: filepath = os.path.join(pvlib_path, 'data', 'LinkeTurbidities.mat')

In [28]: mat = scipy.io.loadmat(filepath)

# data is in units of 20 x turbidity
In [29]: linke_turbidity_table = mat['LinkeTurbidity']  # / 20.   # crashes on rtd

In [30]: def plot_turbidity_map(month, vmin=1, vmax=100):
   ....:     plt.figure();
   ....:     plt.imshow(linke_turbidity_table[:, :, month-1], vmin=vmin, vmax=vmax);
   ....:     plt.title('Linke turbidity x 20, ' + calendar.month_name[month]);
   ....:     plt.colorbar(shrink=0.5);
   ....:     plt.tight_layout();
   ....: 

In [31]: plot_turbidity_map(1)

In [32]: plot_turbidity_map(7)
_images/turbidity-1.png _images/turbidity-7.png

The lookup_linke_turbidity() function takes a time, latitude, and longitude and gets the corresponding climatological turbidity value for that time at those coordinates. By default, the lookup_linke_turbidity() function will linearly interpolate turbidity from month to month, assuming that the raw data is valid on 15th of each month. This interpolation removes discontinuities in multi-month PV models. Here’s a plot of a few locations in the Southwest U.S. with and without interpolation. We chose points that are relatively close so that you can get a better sense of the spatial noise and variability of the data set. Note that the altitude of these sites varies from 300 m to 1500 m.

In [33]: times = pd.DatetimeIndex(start='2015-01-01', end='2016-01-01', freq='1D')

In [34]: sites = [(32, -111, 'Tucson1'), (32.2, -110.9, 'Tucson2'),
   ....:          (33.5, -112.1, 'Phoenix'), (35.1, -106.6, 'Albuquerque')]
   ....: 

In [35]: plt.figure();

In [36]: for lat, lon, name in sites:
   ....:     turbidity = pvlib.clearsky.lookup_linke_turbidity(times, lat, lon, interp_turbidity=False)
   ....:     turbidity.plot(label=name)
   ....: 

In [37]: plt.legend();

In [38]: plt.title('Raw data (no interpolation)');

In [39]: plt.ylabel('Linke Turbidity');

In [40]: plt.figure();

In [41]: for lat, lon, name in sites:
   ....:     turbidity = pvlib.clearsky.lookup_linke_turbidity(times, lat, lon)
   ....:     turbidity.plot(label=name)
   ....: 

In [42]: plt.legend();

In [43]: plt.title('Interpolated to the day');

In [44]: plt.ylabel('Linke Turbidity');
_images/turbidity-no-interp.png _images/turbidity-yes-interp.png

Examples

A clear sky time series using only basic pvlib functions.

In [45]: latitude, longitude, tz, altitude, name = 32.2, -111, 'US/Arizona', 700, 'Tucson'

In [46]: times = pd.date_range(start='2014-01-01', end='2014-01-02', freq='1Min', tz=tz)

In [47]: solpos = pvlib.solarposition.get_solarposition(times, latitude, longitude)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TypeError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-47-cf8d61836fcc> in <module>()
----> 1 solpos = pvlib.solarposition.get_solarposition(times, latitude, longitude)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in get_solarposition(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, method, temperature, **kwargs)
     98         ephem_df = spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude,
     99                               pressure, temperature,
--> 100                               how='numpy', **kwargs)
    101     elif method == 'pyephem':
    102         ephem_df = pyephem(time, latitude, longitude, pressure, temperature,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, temperature, delta_t, atmos_refract, how, numthreads, **kwargs)
    324     app_zenith, zenith, app_elevation, elevation, azimuth, eot = spa.solar_position(
    325         unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temperature, delta_t,
--> 326         atmos_refract, numthreads)
    327 
    328     result = pd.DataFrame({'apparent_zenith': app_zenith, 'zenith': zenith,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1149     result = do_calc(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure,
   1150                      temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads,
-> 1151                      sst, esd)
   1152 
   1153     if not isinstance(result, np.ndarray):

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position_numpy(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1058         return v, alpha, delta
   1059     m = sun_mean_longitude(jme)
-> 1060     eot = equation_of_time(m, alpha, delta_psi, epsilon)
   1061     H = local_hour_angle(v, lon, alpha)
   1062     xi = equatorial_horizontal_parallax(R)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in equation_of_time(sun_mean_longitude, geocentric_sun_right_ascension, longitude_nutation, true_ecliptic_obliquity)
    892     less = E < -20
    893     other = (E <= 20) & (E >= -20)
--> 894     E = greater * (E - 1440) + less * (E + 1440) + other * E
    895     return E
    896 

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _evaluate_numeric_binop(self, other)
   3458 
   3459                 from pandas.tseries.offsets import DateOffset
-> 3460                 other = self._validate_for_numeric_binop(other, op, opstr)
   3461 
   3462                 # handle time-based others

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _validate_for_numeric_binop(self, other, op, opstr)
   3435             other = _values_from_object(other)
   3436             if other.dtype.kind not in ['f', 'i']:
-> 3437                 raise TypeError("cannot evaluate a numeric op "
   3438                                 "with a non-numeric dtype")
   3439         elif isinstance(other, (DateOffset, np.timedelta64,

TypeError: cannot evaluate a numeric op with a non-numeric dtype

In [48]: apparent_zenith = solpos['apparent_zenith']
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NameError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-48-d370386b52ea> in <module>()
----> 1 apparent_zenith = solpos['apparent_zenith']

NameError: name 'solpos' is not defined

In [49]: airmass = pvlib.atmosphere.relativeairmass(apparent_zenith)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NameError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-49-9188344e9c95> in <module>()
----> 1 airmass = pvlib.atmosphere.relativeairmass(apparent_zenith)

NameError: name 'apparent_zenith' is not defined

In [50]: pressure = pvlib.atmosphere.alt2pres(altitude)

In [51]: airmass = pvlib.atmosphere.absoluteairmass(airmass, pressure)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NameError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-51-38ca67fe6b1c> in <module>()
----> 1 airmass = pvlib.atmosphere.absoluteairmass(airmass, pressure)

NameError: name 'airmass' is not defined

In [52]: linke_turbidity = pvlib.clearsky.lookup_linke_turbidity(times, latitude, longitude)

In [53]: dni_extra = pvlib.irradiance.extraradiation(times.dayofyear)

# an input is a pandas Series, so solis is a DataFrame
In [54]: ineichen = clearsky.ineichen(apparent_zenith, airmass, linke_turbidity, altitude, dni_extra)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NameError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-54-7e902da68d9f> in <module>()
----> 1 ineichen = clearsky.ineichen(apparent_zenith, airmass, linke_turbidity, altitude, dni_extra)

NameError: name 'apparent_zenith' is not defined

In [55]: plt.figure();

In [56]: ax = ineichen.plot()
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NameError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-56-b245856cff46> in <module>()
----> 1 ax = ineichen.plot()

NameError: name 'ineichen' is not defined

In [57]: ax.set_ylabel('Irradiance $W/m^2$');

In [58]: ax.set_title('Ineichen Clear Sky Model');

In [59]: ax.legend(loc=2);

In [60]: plt.show();
_images/ineichen-vs-time-climo.png

The input data types determine the returned output type. Array input results in an OrderedDict of array output, and Series input results in a DataFrame output. The keys are ‘ghi’, ‘dni’, and ‘dhi’.

Grid with a clear sky irradiance for a few turbidity values.

In [61]: times = pd.date_range(start='2014-09-01', end='2014-09-02', freq='1Min', tz=tz)

In [62]: solpos = pvlib.solarposition.get_solarposition(times, latitude, longitude)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TypeError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-62-cf8d61836fcc> in <module>()
----> 1 solpos = pvlib.solarposition.get_solarposition(times, latitude, longitude)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in get_solarposition(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, method, temperature, **kwargs)
     98         ephem_df = spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude,
     99                               pressure, temperature,
--> 100                               how='numpy', **kwargs)
    101     elif method == 'pyephem':
    102         ephem_df = pyephem(time, latitude, longitude, pressure, temperature,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, temperature, delta_t, atmos_refract, how, numthreads, **kwargs)
    324     app_zenith, zenith, app_elevation, elevation, azimuth, eot = spa.solar_position(
    325         unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temperature, delta_t,
--> 326         atmos_refract, numthreads)
    327 
    328     result = pd.DataFrame({'apparent_zenith': app_zenith, 'zenith': zenith,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1149     result = do_calc(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure,
   1150                      temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads,
-> 1151                      sst, esd)
   1152 
   1153     if not isinstance(result, np.ndarray):

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position_numpy(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1058         return v, alpha, delta
   1059     m = sun_mean_longitude(jme)
-> 1060     eot = equation_of_time(m, alpha, delta_psi, epsilon)
   1061     H = local_hour_angle(v, lon, alpha)
   1062     xi = equatorial_horizontal_parallax(R)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in equation_of_time(sun_mean_longitude, geocentric_sun_right_ascension, longitude_nutation, true_ecliptic_obliquity)
    892     less = E < -20
    893     other = (E <= 20) & (E >= -20)
--> 894     E = greater * (E - 1440) + less * (E + 1440) + other * E
    895     return E
    896 

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _evaluate_numeric_binop(self, other)
   3458 
   3459                 from pandas.tseries.offsets import DateOffset
-> 3460                 other = self._validate_for_numeric_binop(other, op, opstr)
   3461 
   3462                 # handle time-based others

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _validate_for_numeric_binop(self, other, op, opstr)
   3435             other = _values_from_object(other)
   3436             if other.dtype.kind not in ['f', 'i']:
-> 3437                 raise TypeError("cannot evaluate a numeric op "
   3438                                 "with a non-numeric dtype")
   3439         elif isinstance(other, (DateOffset, np.timedelta64,

TypeError: cannot evaluate a numeric op with a non-numeric dtype

In [63]: apparent_zenith = solpos['apparent_zenith']
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NameError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-63-d370386b52ea> in <module>()
----> 1 apparent_zenith = solpos['apparent_zenith']

NameError: name 'solpos' is not defined

In [64]: airmass = pvlib.atmosphere.relativeairmass(apparent_zenith)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NameError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-64-9188344e9c95> in <module>()
----> 1 airmass = pvlib.atmosphere.relativeairmass(apparent_zenith)

NameError: name 'apparent_zenith' is not defined

In [65]: pressure = pvlib.atmosphere.alt2pres(altitude)

In [66]: airmass = pvlib.atmosphere.absoluteairmass(airmass, pressure)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NameError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-66-38ca67fe6b1c> in <module>()
----> 1 airmass = pvlib.atmosphere.absoluteairmass(airmass, pressure)

NameError: name 'airmass' is not defined

In [67]: linke_turbidity = pvlib.clearsky.lookup_linke_turbidity(times, latitude, longitude)

In [68]: print('climatological linke_turbidity = {}'.format(linke_turbidity.mean()))
climatological linke_turbidity = 3.38555591669

In [69]: dni_extra = pvlib.irradiance.extraradiation(times.dayofyear)

In [70]: linke_turbidities = [linke_turbidity.mean(), 2, 4]

In [71]: fig, axes = plt.subplots(ncols=3, nrows=1, sharex=True, sharey=True, squeeze=True, figsize=(12, 4))

In [72]: axes = axes.flatten()

In [73]: for linke_turbidity, ax in zip(linke_turbidities, axes):
   ....:     ineichen = clearsky.ineichen(apparent_zenith, airmass, linke_turbidity, altitude, dni_extra)
   ....:     ineichen.plot(ax=ax, title='Linke turbidity = {:0.1f}'.format(linke_turbidity));
   ....: 

In [74]: ax.legend(loc=1);

In [75]: plt.show();
_images/ineichen-grid.png

Validation

See [Ine02], [Ren12].

Will Holmgren compared pvlib’s Ineichen model and climatological turbidity to SoDa’s McClear service in Arizona. Here are links to an ipynb notebook and its html rendering.

Simplified Solis

The Simplified Solis model parameterizes irradiance in terms of precipitable water and aerosol optical depth [Ine08ss]. pvlib-python implements this model in the pvlib.clearsky.simplified_solis() function.

Aerosol and precipitable water data

There are a number of sources for aerosol and precipitable water data of varying accuracy, global coverage, and temporal resolution. Ground based aerosol data can be obtained from Aeronet. Precipitable water can be obtained from radiosondes, ESRL GPS-MET, or derived from surface relative humidity using functions such as pvlib.atmosphere.gueymard94_pw(). Numerous gridded products from satellites, weather models, and climate models contain one or both of aerosols and precipitable water. Consider data from the ECMWF and SoDa.

Aerosol optical depth is a function of wavelength, and the Simplified Solis model requires AOD at 700 nm. Models exist to convert AOD between different wavelengths, as well as convert Linke turbidity to AOD and PW [Ine08con], [Ine16].

Examples

A clear sky time series using only basic pvlib functions.

In [76]: latitude, longitude, tz, altitude, name = 32.2, -111, 'US/Arizona', 700, 'Tucson'

In [77]: times = pd.date_range(start='2014-01-01', end='2014-01-02', freq='1Min', tz=tz)

In [78]: solpos = pvlib.solarposition.get_solarposition(times, latitude, longitude)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TypeError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-78-cf8d61836fcc> in <module>()
----> 1 solpos = pvlib.solarposition.get_solarposition(times, latitude, longitude)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in get_solarposition(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, method, temperature, **kwargs)
     98         ephem_df = spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude,
     99                               pressure, temperature,
--> 100                               how='numpy', **kwargs)
    101     elif method == 'pyephem':
    102         ephem_df = pyephem(time, latitude, longitude, pressure, temperature,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, temperature, delta_t, atmos_refract, how, numthreads, **kwargs)
    324     app_zenith, zenith, app_elevation, elevation, azimuth, eot = spa.solar_position(
    325         unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temperature, delta_t,
--> 326         atmos_refract, numthreads)
    327 
    328     result = pd.DataFrame({'apparent_zenith': app_zenith, 'zenith': zenith,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1149     result = do_calc(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure,
   1150                      temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads,
-> 1151                      sst, esd)
   1152 
   1153     if not isinstance(result, np.ndarray):

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position_numpy(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1058         return v, alpha, delta
   1059     m = sun_mean_longitude(jme)
-> 1060     eot = equation_of_time(m, alpha, delta_psi, epsilon)
   1061     H = local_hour_angle(v, lon, alpha)
   1062     xi = equatorial_horizontal_parallax(R)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in equation_of_time(sun_mean_longitude, geocentric_sun_right_ascension, longitude_nutation, true_ecliptic_obliquity)
    892     less = E < -20
    893     other = (E <= 20) & (E >= -20)
--> 894     E = greater * (E - 1440) + less * (E + 1440) + other * E
    895     return E
    896 

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _evaluate_numeric_binop(self, other)
   3458 
   3459                 from pandas.tseries.offsets import DateOffset
-> 3460                 other = self._validate_for_numeric_binop(other, op, opstr)
   3461 
   3462                 # handle time-based others

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _validate_for_numeric_binop(self, other, op, opstr)
   3435             other = _values_from_object(other)
   3436             if other.dtype.kind not in ['f', 'i']:
-> 3437                 raise TypeError("cannot evaluate a numeric op "
   3438                                 "with a non-numeric dtype")
   3439         elif isinstance(other, (DateOffset, np.timedelta64,

TypeError: cannot evaluate a numeric op with a non-numeric dtype

In [79]: apparent_elevation = solpos['apparent_elevation']
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NameError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-79-b6909b8df896> in <module>()
----> 1 apparent_elevation = solpos['apparent_elevation']

NameError: name 'solpos' is not defined

In [80]: aod700 = 0.1

In [81]: precipitable_water = 1

In [82]: pressure = pvlib.atmosphere.alt2pres(altitude)

In [83]: dni_extra = pvlib.irradiance.extraradiation(times.dayofyear)

# an input is a Series, so solis is a DataFrame
In [84]: solis = clearsky.simplified_solis(apparent_elevation, aod700, precipitable_water,
   ....:                                   pressure, dni_extra)
   ....: 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NameError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-84-be5b7645a75b> in <module>()
----> 1 solis = clearsky.simplified_solis(apparent_elevation, aod700, precipitable_water,
      2                                   pressure, dni_extra)

NameError: name 'apparent_elevation' is not defined

In [85]: ax = solis.plot();

In [86]: ax.set_ylabel('Irradiance $W/m^2$');

In [87]: ax.set_title('Simplified Solis Clear Sky Model');

In [88]: ax.legend(loc=2);

In [89]: plt.show();
_images/solis-vs-time-0.1-1.png

The input data types determine the returned output type. Array input results in an OrderedDict of array output, and Series input results in a DataFrame output. The keys are ‘ghi’, ‘dni’, and ‘dhi’.

Irradiance as a function of solar elevation.

In [90]: apparent_elevation = pd.Series(np.linspace(-10, 90, 101))

In [91]: aod700 = 0.1

In [92]: precipitable_water = 1

In [93]: pressure = 101325

In [94]: dni_extra = 1364

In [95]: solis = clearsky.simplified_solis(apparent_elevation, aod700,
   ....:                                   precipitable_water, pressure, dni_extra)
   ....: 

In [96]: ax = solis.plot();

In [97]: ax.set_xlabel('Apparent elevation (deg)');

In [98]: ax.set_ylabel('Irradiance $W/m^2$');

In [99]: ax.set_title('Irradiance vs Solar Elevation')
Out[99]: <matplotlib.text.Text at 0x7feee380db10>

In [100]: ax.legend(loc=2);
_images/solis-vs-elevation.png

Grid with a clear sky irradiance for a few PW and AOD values.

In [101]: times = pd.date_range(start='2014-09-01', end='2014-09-02', freq='1Min', tz=tz)

In [102]: solpos = pvlib.solarposition.get_solarposition(times, latitude, longitude)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TypeError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-102-cf8d61836fcc> in <module>()
----> 1 solpos = pvlib.solarposition.get_solarposition(times, latitude, longitude)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in get_solarposition(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, method, temperature, **kwargs)
     98         ephem_df = spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude,
     99                               pressure, temperature,
--> 100                               how='numpy', **kwargs)
    101     elif method == 'pyephem':
    102         ephem_df = pyephem(time, latitude, longitude, pressure, temperature,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/solarposition.py in spa_python(time, latitude, longitude, altitude, pressure, temperature, delta_t, atmos_refract, how, numthreads, **kwargs)
    324     app_zenith, zenith, app_elevation, elevation, azimuth, eot = spa.solar_position(
    325         unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temperature, delta_t,
--> 326         atmos_refract, numthreads)
    327 
    328     result = pd.DataFrame({'apparent_zenith': app_zenith, 'zenith': zenith,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1149     result = do_calc(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure,
   1150                      temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads,
-> 1151                      sst, esd)
   1152 
   1153     if not isinstance(result, np.ndarray):

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in solar_position_numpy(unixtime, lat, lon, elev, pressure, temp, delta_t, atmos_refract, numthreads, sst, esd)
   1058         return v, alpha, delta
   1059     m = sun_mean_longitude(jme)
-> 1060     eot = equation_of_time(m, alpha, delta_psi, epsilon)
   1061     H = local_hour_angle(v, lon, alpha)
   1062     xi = equatorial_horizontal_parallax(R)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/spa.py in equation_of_time(sun_mean_longitude, geocentric_sun_right_ascension, longitude_nutation, true_ecliptic_obliquity)
    892     less = E < -20
    893     other = (E <= 20) & (E >= -20)
--> 894     E = greater * (E - 1440) + less * (E + 1440) + other * E
    895     return E
    896 

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _evaluate_numeric_binop(self, other)
   3458 
   3459                 from pandas.tseries.offsets import DateOffset
-> 3460                 other = self._validate_for_numeric_binop(other, op, opstr)
   3461 
   3462                 # handle time-based others

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/indexes/base.pyc in _validate_for_numeric_binop(self, other, op, opstr)
   3435             other = _values_from_object(other)
   3436             if other.dtype.kind not in ['f', 'i']:
-> 3437                 raise TypeError("cannot evaluate a numeric op "
   3438                                 "with a non-numeric dtype")
   3439         elif isinstance(other, (DateOffset, np.timedelta64,

TypeError: cannot evaluate a numeric op with a non-numeric dtype

In [103]: apparent_elevation = solpos['apparent_elevation']
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NameError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-103-b6909b8df896> in <module>()
----> 1 apparent_elevation = solpos['apparent_elevation']

NameError: name 'solpos' is not defined

In [104]: pressure = pvlib.atmosphere.alt2pres(altitude)

In [105]: dni_extra = pvlib.irradiance.extraradiation(times.dayofyear)

In [106]: aod700 = [0.01, 0.1]

In [107]: precipitable_water = [0.5, 5]

In [108]: fig, axes = plt.subplots(ncols=2, nrows=2, sharex=True, sharey=True, squeeze=True)

In [109]: axes = axes.flatten()

In [110]: for (aod, pw), ax in zip(itertools.chain(itertools.product(aod700, precipitable_water)), axes):
   .....:     cs = clearsky.simplified_solis(apparent_elevation, aod, pw, pressure, dni_extra)
   .....:     cs.plot(ax=ax, title='aod700={}, pw={}'.format(aod, pw))
   .....: 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ValueError                                Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-110-2357b8b7263e> in <module>()
      1 for (aod, pw), ax in zip(itertools.chain(itertools.product(aod700, precipitable_water)), axes):
----> 2     cs = clearsky.simplified_solis(apparent_elevation, aod, pw, pressure, dni_extra)
      3     cs.plot(ax=ax, title='aod700={}, pw={}'.format(aod, pw))
      4 

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/checkouts/pvsystem_tutport/pvlib/clearsky.py in simplified_solis(apparent_elevation, aod700, precipitable_water, pressure, dni_extra)
    371     sin_elev = np.maximum(1.e-30, np.sin(np.radians(apparent_elevation)))
    372 
--> 373     dni = i0p * np.exp(-taub/sin_elev**b)
    374     ghi = i0p * np.exp(-taug/sin_elev**g) * sin_elev
    375     dhi = i0p * np.exp(-taud/sin_elev**d)

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/core/ops.pyc in wrapper(left, right, name, na_op)
    713                 lvalues = lvalues.values
    714 
--> 715         result = wrap_results(safe_na_op(lvalues, rvalues))
    716         return construct_result(
    717             left,

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/core/ops.pyc in safe_na_op(lvalues, rvalues)
    674         try:
    675             with np.errstate(all='ignore'):
--> 676                 return na_op(lvalues, rvalues)
    677         except Exception:
    678             if isinstance(rvalues, ABCSeries):

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/core/ops.pyc in na_op(x, y)
    650         try:
    651             result = expressions.evaluate(op, str_rep, x, y,
--> 652                                           raise_on_error=True, **eval_kwargs)
    653         except TypeError:
    654             if isinstance(y, (np.ndarray, ABCSeries, pd.Index)):

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/computation/expressions.pyc in evaluate(op, op_str, a, b, raise_on_error, use_numexpr, **eval_kwargs)
    208     if use_numexpr:
    209         return _evaluate(op, op_str, a, b, raise_on_error=raise_on_error,
--> 210                          **eval_kwargs)
    211     return _evaluate_standard(op, op_str, a, b, raise_on_error=raise_on_error)
    212 

/home/docs/checkouts/readthedocs.org/user_builds/pvlib-python-dacoex/conda/pvsystem_tutport/lib/python2.7/site-packages/pandas/computation/expressions.pyc in _evaluate_standard(op, op_str, a, b, raise_on_error, **eval_kwargs)
     61         _store_test_result(False)
     62     with np.errstate(all='ignore'):
---> 63         return op(a, b)
     64 
     65 

ValueError: operands could not be broadcast together with shapes (101,) (1441,) 

In [111]: plt.show();
_images/solis-grid.png

Contour plots of irradiance as a function of both PW and AOD.

In [112]: aod700 = np.linspace(0, 0.5, 101)

In [113]: precipitable_water = np.linspace(0, 10, 101)

In [114]: apparent_elevation = 70

In [115]: pressure = 101325

In [116]: dni_extra = 1364

In [117]: aod700, precipitable_water = np.meshgrid(aod700, precipitable_water)

# inputs are arrays, so solis is an OrderedDict
In [118]: solis = clearsky.simplified_solis(apparent_elevation, aod700,
   .....:                                   precipitable_water, pressure,
   .....:                                   dni_extra)
   .....: 

In [119]: cmap = plt.get_cmap('viridis')

In [120]: n = 15

In [121]: vmin = None

In [122]: vmax = None

In [123]: def plot_solis(key):
   .....:     irrad = solis[key]
   .....:     fig, ax = plt.subplots()
   .....:     im = ax.contour(aod700, precipitable_water, irrad[:, :], n, cmap=cmap, vmin=vmin, vmax=vmax)
   .....:     imf = ax.contourf(aod700, precipitable_water, irrad[:, :], n, cmap=cmap, vmin=vmin, vmax=vmax)
   .....:     ax.set_xlabel('AOD')
   .....:     ax.set_ylabel('Precipitable water (cm)')
   .....:     ax.clabel(im, colors='k', fmt='%.0f')
   .....:     fig.colorbar(imf, label='{} (W/m**2)'.format(key))
   .....:     ax.set_title('{}, elevation={}'.format(key, apparent_elevation))
   .....: 

In [124]: plot_solis('ghi')

In [125]: plt.show()

In [126]: plot_solis('dni')

In [127]: plt.show()

In [128]: plot_solis('dhi')

In [129]: plt.show()
_images/solis-ghi.png _images/solis-dni.png _images/solis-dhi.png

Validation

See [Ine16].

We encourage users to compare the pvlib implementation to Ineichen’s Excel tool.

References

[Ine02](1, 2) P. Ineichen and R. Perez, “A New airmass independent formulation for the Linke turbidity coefficient”, Solar Energy, 73, pp. 151-157, 2002.
[Ine08ss]P. Ineichen, “A broadband simplified version of the Solis clear sky model,” Solar Energy, 82, 758-762 (2008).
[Ine16](1, 2) P. Ineichen, “Validation of models that estimate the clear sky global and beam solar irradiance,” Solar Energy, 132, 332-344 (2016).
[Ine08con]P. Ineichen, “Conversion function between the Linke turbidity and the atmospheric water vapor and aerosol content”, Solar Energy, 82, 1095 (2008).
[Ren12]M. Reno, C. Hansen, and J. Stein, “Global Horizontal Irradiance Clear Sky Models: Implementation and Analysis”, Sandia National Laboratories, SAND2012-2389, 2012.