twoaxistracking – a python package for simulating self-shading of two-axis tracking solar collectors

Self-shading in fields of two-axis tracking collectors typically ranges from 1% to 6% of the annual incident irradiation. It is thus essential to account for shading in order to obtain accurate yield estimates and financing for such solar projects. The present study presents the free and open-source...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:MethodsX 2022-01, Vol.9, p.101876-101876, Article 101876
Main Authors: Jensen, Adam R., Sifnaios, Ioannis, Anderson, Kevin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytical calculation of self-shading of two-axis tracking collectors
Concentrated solar power (CSP)
concentrating photovoltaics
Concentrating photovoltaics (CPV)
Concentrating solar collector
concentrating solar power
CPV
CSP
dual axis tracker
Dual axis tracker (DAT)
MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING
Method
Mutual shading
Open source
Python package
SOLAR ENERGY
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Summary:Self-shading in fields of two-axis tracking collectors typically ranges from 1% to 6% of the annual incident irradiation. It is thus essential to account for shading in order to obtain accurate yield estimates and financing for such solar projects. The present study presents the free and open-source Python package twoaxistracking for simulating self-shading in fields of two-axis tracking collectors. The package is freely available at: https://github.com/pvlib/twoaxistracking. The main steps of the method and mathematical formulation are described. Additionally, a demonstration of how to use the package is presented. The shading calculation method excels over previous methods found in the literature in that it can:•Handle arbitrary aperture geometries and distinguish between the total and active areas.•Account for sloped ground and collectors with different heights within the same field.•Reduce computation time by skipping calculations at high solar elevation angles. [Display omitted]
ISSN:2215-0161
2215-0161
DOI:10.1016/j.mex.2022.101876