Research Scientist National Renewable Energy Laboratory Golden, Colorado, United States
In the near future, solar energy will form a major share of power production for many energy grids around the world. However, information to understand and plan for this massively abundant energy resource is not always straightforward, as the state of the art in solar resource data continually evolves and adapts to new and advanced techniques. To help stakeholders be aware of the latest research in solar resource data, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in collaboration with International Energy Agency (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) Task 16 and Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems (SolarPACES) Technology programs published the third edition of “Best Practices Handbook for the Collection and Use of Solar Resource Data for Solar Energy Applicationsâ€
The handbook covers the rapid evolution in the field of solar resource assessment and forecasting for solar energy applications. This handbook comprehensively describes the state of the field and serves as a reference document for stakeholders ranging from science to solar energy professionals for solar applications that span concentrated solar power, solar photovoltaics, and solar heating and cooling.
The rapid growth of the solar PV industry in the size of the installations as well as the penetration levels, enhanced the needs for accurate solar data for planning and operation. Similarly, during this rapid growth, significant advances in the body of knowledge in the areas of solar resource assessment and forecasting were attained which are now included in this handbook and will be highlighted in the poster. Distinct from past editions of the handbook, the third edition also features a new chapter on relevant meteorological parameters, such as wind, temperature, aerosols, among others. Another distinct focus in this edition is on the growing importance of artificial intelligence applied to forecasts.
By helping solar stakeholders understand the nature of solar radiation, its variation around the world, and its evolution over time, this handbook will contribute to making solar energy more predictable, and more easily integrated into our energy systems.
