Research Timeline

Research Timeline

A chronological listing of more than two decades of Clean Power Research published research.

2022

Impact of PV/Wind Forecast Accuracy and National Transmission Grid Reinforcement on the Italian Electric System
 |  November 2022

The high share of PV energy requires greater system flexibility to address the increased demand/supply imbalance...

IRENA SolarCity
+  |  November 2022

This project combines ultra-high-resolution (0.5 meter or 1 meter) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data and 3D vector...

IEA Task 16-3.5 Report: Firm Power Generation
 |  November 2022

Grid-connected solar power generation, either dispersed or centralized, has developed and grown at the margin of a...

Inferring PV system specifications from net loads and reconstructing gross loads
 |  October 2022

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that residential PV systems accounted for 61 percent of total...

Inferring PV system specifications from net load
+  |  June 2022

The increasing penetration of grid-connected solar photovoltaics has challenged the existing method of planning and...

Firm PV Power generation for Switzerland
 |  June 2022

We investigate whether photovoltaics (PV) can effectively and economically contribute to a massively renewable energy...

Firm PV Power Generation in Switzerland
 |  June 2022

We investigate whether PV can effectively and economically contribute to a massively renewable energy (RE) power...

Nonparametric Temporal Downscaling of GHI Clear-sky Indices Using Gaussian Copula
+  |  June 2022

Small-scale variabilities of solar irradiance are important for many applications. Downscaling approaches need to be...

Enhancing Temporal Variability of 5-minute Satellite-Derived Solar Irradiance Data
+  |  June 2022

Satellite-derived solar irradiance data are known to underestimate temporal variability compared to point measurements...

Update 2022 – A Fundamental Look at Supply Side Energy Reserves for the Planet
 |  March 2022

Energy on our planet is central to the functioning of our ecosystem and modern human society. This work attempts to...

A Review of Solar Forecasting, Its Dependence on Atmospheric Sciences and Implications for Grid Integration: Towards Carbon Neutrality
+  |  March 2022

The ability to forecast solar irradiance plays an indispensable role in solar power forecasting, which constitutes an...

2021

IMPLICIT STORAGE – Optimally Achieving Lowest-Cost 100% Renewable Power generation
 |  October 2021

Implicit storage – aka overbuilt and operationally curtailed variable renewable energy (RE) resources – is a...

Quantifying the Solar Impacts of Wildfire Smoke in Western North America
 |  August 2021

2020 was the most active wildfire season in recent history. This study leverages solar models to quantify the solar...

Least-Cost Firm PV Power Generation: Dynamic Curtailment vs. Inverter-Limited Curtailment
 |  August 2021

Overbuilding and dynamic curtailment are increasingly acknowledged as central to cost-optimally transforming...

Residual Load Imbalance Mitigation Strategy via Flexible PV Ancillary Services: The Italian Case Study
+  |  July 2021

Large share of solar energy imposes a higher system flexibility to resolve the increased demand/supply imbalance due...

Ultra-High Photovoltaic Penetration: Where to Deploy
 |  July 2021

While it is widely known that the solar resource is sufficient to meet the world’s energy demand many times over, the...

Making the Cut with a Carbon Elimination Price: The Missing Piece to Bill Gates’ How to Avoid a Climate Disaster Book
 |  March 2021

In the book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, Bill Gates begins to address the issue of how much it will cost to...

Italian Protocol for Massive Solar Integration: From Solar Imbalance Regulation to Firm 24/365 Solar Generation
 |  January 2021

This article describes a progressive strategy to achieve 100% penetration of intermittent renewables at minimal cost....

2020

Observed Recent Trends in the Solar Resource across North America: Changing Cloud-cover, AOD and the Implications for PV Yield
+  |  September 2020

In years recent to 2020, low solar-resource in the Eastern U.S. was observed in the SolarAnywhere® dataset. This paper...

From Firm Solar Power Forecasts to Firm Solar Power Generation an Effective Path to Ultra-High Renewable Penetration a New York Case Study
+  |  August 2020

We introduce firm solar forecasts as a strategy to operate optimally overbuilt solar power plants in conjunction with...

The Value of PV Power Forecast and the Paradox of the “Single Pricing” Scheme: The Italian Case Study
+  |  August 2020

One of the major problem of photovoltaic grid integration is limiting the solar-induced imbalances since these can...

Verification of Deterministic Solar Forecasts
 |  May 2020

The field of energy forecasting has attracted many researchers from different fields (e.g., meteorology, data...

Italian Protocol for Massive Solar Integration: Imbalance Mitigation Strategies
 |  February 2020

This article proposes two strategies for the mitigation of power imbalances and related costs resulting from...

2019

Perfect Operational Solar Forecasts: A Scalable Strategy toward Firm Power Generation
 |  November 2019

We present the perfect forecast concept as both an effective forecast validation metric and an operational strategy to...

Investigations of Site-Specific, Long Term Average Albedo Determination for Accurate Bifacial System Energy Modeling
+  |  September 2019

As interest in bifacial PV modules grows, there is a need to quantify the impact of additional energy generation for...

Improved PV System Modeling with ML-Based Power Model: Case Study of a Commercial Building
+  |  September 2019

Solar PV system specifications are critical to accurately modeling PV system production (along with high-quality...

EPIC Solar Forecasting Task 3 Final Report: Grid-Connected and Embedded PV Fleet Forecasting Accuracy
+  |  July 2019

This report, prepared with an Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) fund, describes new methods for improving...

EPIC Solar Forecasting Task 2 Final Report: Data Forecasting Accuracy
+  |  July 2019

This report, prepared with an Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) fund, describes the results of research to...

Advancing the Science of Behind-the-Meter PV Forecasting
+  |  July 2019

This presentation discusses how probabilistic forecasting enables electric utilities and grid operators to reduce...

Extending Fleet Forecasting Capability into the Probabilistic Realm
+  |  July 2019

This presentation demonstrates how a new approach to PV fleet forecasting can address the problem of artificially high...

Solar+ Homes: If an Integrated Approach Works in a Retrofit Application, New Homes Will Be Even Better
+  |  July 2019

This presentation demonstrates the effectiveness of an integrated approach to electrification of existing and new...

Value of Solar+Storage in Guam
+  |  July 2019

This report presents the results of a distributed-solar valuation performed for the island of Guam. The study used...

Montana Solar Market Assessment
+  |  July 2019

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative, the Montana Energy Office (MEO) of the Montana...

A Radical Idea to Get a High-Renewable Electric Grid: Build Way More Solar and Wind Than Needed
 |  May 2019

The famous inventor Edwin Land said, “It’s not that we need new ideas, but we need to stop having old ideas.” He...

Can We Gauge Forecasts Using Satellite-Derived Solar Irradiance?
 |  April 2019

Satellite-derived irradiance data, as an alternative to ground-based measurements, offer a unique opportunity to...

Overbuilding & Curtailment: The Cost-Effective Enablers of Firm PV Generation
 |  January 2019

Current thinking considers that PV output curtailment is a last resort measure to be avoided. In this article, we...

2016

Importance of Input Data and Uncertainty Associated with Tuning Satellite to Ground Solar Irradiation
+  |  July 2016

Although the uncertainty of satellite data such as SolarAnywhere® Data has been shown to be low, it can be challenging...

Solar Energy Forecast Validation for Extended Areas & Economic Impact of Forecast Accuracy
+  |  July 2016

This article evaluates the accuracy of solar forecast models, including SolarAnywhere®, as a function of geographic...

2015

Maine Distributed Solar Valuation Study
+  |  August 2015

In support of the Maine Public Utilities Commission's work in 2014-15 to determine the value of distributed solar...

Valuation of Solar + Storage in Hawaii: Methodology
+  |  August 2015

Clean Power Research was engaged by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) to develop a methodology that...

2013

2014 Value of Solar at Austin Energy
 |  October 2013

This report and presentation summarizes a Value of Solar® study conducted for Austin Energy in the fall of 2013....

Behind-the-Meter PV Fleet Forecasting: Results for 130,000 PV Systems in California
+  |  April 2013

Lean how SolarAnywhere® FleetView™ is being integrated into CAISO planning and operations tools to provide power...

Behind-the-Meter PV Fleet Forecasting
+  |  March 2013

Grid-connected PV in the U.S. has grown substantially over the past several years and grid operators are increasingly...

The Value of Distributed Solar Electric Generation to San Antonio
+  |  March 2013

This Value of Solar® study was prepared for Solar San Antonio under a Department of Energy SunShot Initiative grant....

Forecasting Output for 130,000 PV Systems in California
+  |  February 2013

Lean how SolarAnywhere® FleetView™ is being integrated into CAISO planning and operations tools to provide power...

Integrating PV into Utility Planning and Operation Tools
+  |  February 2013

This presentation describes how SolarAnywhere® FleetView™ is being used to cost-effectively forecast power output of...

Net Metering: Quantifying Benefits and Sharing Costs
+  |  February 2013

This presentation covers two methods of valuing solar that are currently being considered as alternatives to net...

2012

The Value of Distributed Solar Electric Generation to New Jersey and Pennsylvania
 |  November 2012

This Value of Solar® study was prepared for the Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association (MSEIA) and the...

Behind-the-Meter PV Fleet Forecasting
+  |  October 2012

Learn how SolarAnywhere® FleetView™ can be used for behind-the-meter PV fleet forecasting. Presented at the Utility...

Photovoltaic Incentive Design Handbook
+  |  June 2012

This handbook will help agencies and utilities select, design, and implement incentive programs that best meet...

Solar Monitoring, Forecasting and Variability Assessment at SMUD
+  |  April 2012

This paper summarizes the deployment of a 71 station solar monitoring network in Sacramento, Calif., and its use in...

Reporting of Irradiance Model Relative Errors
+  |  March 2012

Metrics used in assessing irradiance model accuracy such as Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error...

Predicting Short-term Variability of High Penetration PV
+  |  March 2012

This article evaluates the ability of three operational satellite models (SolarAnywhere® Standard, Enhanced, and High...

Off-Shore Wind and Grid-Connected PV: High Penetration Peak Shaving for New York City
+  |  March 2012

This article presents an experimental evaluation of the combined effective capacity of off-shore wind and...

Solar Power Generation in the US: Too Expensive or a Bargain?
+  |  March 2012

This article identifies the combined value that solar electric power plants deliver to utilities’ rate payers and...

Evaluating Irradiance Accuracy Using California ISO Data: Lessons Learned
+  |  February 2012

This presentation provides the results of a study evaluating the short, medium and long-term accuracy of irradiance...

2011

Determining Storage Reserves for Regulating Solar Variability
 |  November 2011

This paper describes the initial validation of a method of quantifying PV variability by using satellite-derived solar...

Modeling PV Fleet Output Variability
+  |  May 2011

This paper introduces a novel approach to estimating the maximum short‐term output variability that an arbitrary fleet...

PV Power Output Variability: Calculation of Correlation Coefficients Using Satellite Insolation Data
March 2011

This paper describes analytical methods and tools to quantify PV fleet output variability that can be used by utility...

Short-term Irradiance Variability: Station Pair Correlation as a Function of Distance
+  |  March 2011

This article focuses on station pairs, and investigates the correlation of their short-term variability as a function...

Designing Austin Energy’s Solar Tariff Using a Distributed PV Calculator
 |  March 2011

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2010

Parameterization of Site-specific Short-term Irradiance Variability
+  |  November 2010

This article presents a set of empirical models capable of extracting metrics quantifying the short‐term variability...

PV Power Output Variability: Correlation Coefficients
+  |  November 2010

This paper introduces a novel approach to estimate the maximum short‐term output variability that a fleet of PV...

Valuing a Portfolio of PV Investments
+  |  October 2010

This presentation describes the importance of PV output variability as a factor in calculating the value of a fleet of...

Validation of Short & Medium Term Operational Solar Radiation Forecasts in the U.S.
+  |  August 2010

This paper presents a validation of the short- and medium-term global irradiance forecasts that are produced as part...

Validation of PV Performance Models Using Satellite-based Irradiance Measurements: A Case Study
+  |  May 2010

This paper presents a study of how PV performance model results are affected when satellite-based weather data is used...

Weather Adjusted Performance Guarantees
+  |  May 2010

This paper describes how to generate more accurate Weather-Adjusted Performance Guarantees for PV systems using a...

Market Transformation Benefits of a PV Incentive Program
+  |  May 2010

Real-life example of the economics of implementing a PV incentive program Download PDF >>>

Quantifying the Cost of High Photovoltaic Penetration
 |  May 2010

Calculating the cost of energy storage to provide firm capacity on a power grid with high PV penetration. Download PDF...

The CA Net Energy Metering Report: Approach, Results & Implications
 |  April 2010

The steps required to compute the costs and benefits of electric rates that use net energy metering. Download PDF...

2009

Evaluating PV Fleet Output Variability
+  |  December 2009

This presentation describes methods for evaluating the power output variability of PV fleets, and how that information...

Quantifying PV Power Output Variability
+  |  May 2009

This paper presents a new approach to rigorously quantify power output variability from a fleet of PV systems, ranging...

2008

Solar Sustained Vehicles: A Consumer’s Solution to Protection in an Age of Oil Dependence, Economic Uncertainty, & Global Warming
+  |  November 2008

A consumer’s view of the fuel saving benefits of Solar Sustained Vehicles. Download PDF >>>

Shining on the Big Apple: Satisfying New York City’s Peak Electrical Needs with PV
+  |  November 2008

This presentation describes how measured data was used to evaluate the potential of PV to satisfy the electrical needs...

2006

How to Incorporate Perspective When Performing a Solar Value Analysis
October 2006
Incentive Level Analysis: Workshop on the Design of the New Solar Homes Partnership
June 2006

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Expected Performance Based Buydown (EPBB) Incentive Structure: Rationale & Implications
 |  May 2006

Rationale for using an up-front incentive payment structure Download PDF >>>

Incentive Structure Alternatives
April 2006

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Overview of PBI Design Issues: Performance Based Solar Incentives Workshop
March 2006

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The Value of Distributed Photovoltaics to Austin Energy & the City of Austin
 |  March 2006

Quantifies the comprehensive value of distributed PV to Austin Energy. Download PDF >>>

2005

Moving Towards a More Comprehensive Framework to Evaluate Distributed Photovoltaics
June 2005

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Maximizing the Value of Customer-Sited PV Systems Using Storage & Controls
 |  January 2005

Enhancing the load management and outage protection attributes of PV to increase the value of customer-sited PV...

2004

Increasing the Value of Customer-Owned PV Systems Using Batteries
November 2004

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Economic Benefits of Performance-Based Incentives
 |  July 2004

Compares the economic consequences of performance-based and buy-down PV incentives Download PDF >>>

Quick Review of Basic Economics
July 2004

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Field Validation of the Clean Power Estimator’s Obstruction Analysis Algorithm
+ +  |  February 2004

This paper validates the Clean Power Estimator obstruction analysis algorithm based on results produced by the Solar...

Are Photovoltaic Systems Worth More to Residential Consumers on Net Metered Time-of-Use Rates?
 |  January 2004

Examination of the value of PV to residential customers under Time-of-Use rates. Download PDF >>>

2003

Potential Economic Benefits of Distributed Photovoltaics to the Nevada Power Company
November 2003

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Distributed Photovoltaics in New Jersey
October 2003

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A Simple Method for Consumers to Address Uncertainty When Purchasing Photovoltaics
 |  September 2003

Should consumers invest in PV now, or wait? Download PDF >>>

Determination of Photovoltaic Effective Capacity for Nevada Power
 |  September 2003

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Maximizing PV peak shaving with solar load control: validation of a web-based economic evaluation tool
 |  August 2003

Calculating the value of solar load control for commercial applications using Clean Power Estimator. Download PDF...

Validation of a Simplified PV Simulation Engine
+ +  |  June 2003

This paper describes and validates a simple PV simulation model capable of predicting average PV output as a function...

Estimator Documentation
May 2003

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2002

Tax Revenue Protection Through Outage Risk Mitigation: The Value of Distributed PV to The Federal Government
October 2002

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Electricity Rate Structures Can Be Used to Promote Customer-Sited PV: A Lesson From California
June 2002

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A Tool To Market Customer-Sited Small Wind Systems
June 2002

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2001

Using Product Portfolios to Increase the Value of Customer-Sited PV
October 2001

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Using the Internet to Promote PV & Other Clean Technologies
June 2001

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2000

Reduce, Reuse, Renew: One Possible Approach to Cut Carbon Emissions
 |  July 2000

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The Potential Market for Photovoltaics & Other Distributed Resources in Rural Electric Cooperatives
July 2000

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Building Integrated Photovoltaics At the New York City Transit’s Corona Maintenance Shop & Car Wash Facility
July 2000

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The Market for Photovoltaics in New Homes Using Micro-Grids
June 2000

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The Market for Photovoltaics in New Homes Using Micro-Grids (Report)
January 2000

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1999

Clean Distributed Resources in the U.S. Residential Market
 |  November 1999

Examines how PV combined with energy efficiency and cogeneration fuel cells can satisfy the energy needs of the U.S....

1998

Distributed Resources: A Potentially Economically Attractive Option to Satisfy Increased Demand on Okanogan County Electric Cooperative’s Mazama Feeder Line
October 1998

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Distributed Resources in Okanogan County Electric Co-op: Preliminary Feasibility Study Results
October 1998
A Preliminary Analysis of Block Island Power Company’s Use of Clean Distributed Resources to Provide Power to Its Customers
August 1998

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Keep the Door Open for Micro-Grids
July 1998

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A Micro-Grid with PV, Fuel Cells and Energy Efficiency
+  |  June 1998

This article provides an evaluation of the economic potential of a micro-grid composed of PV, fuel cells and energy...

Modular Green Generation: An Untapped Green Market
June 1998

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Green Futures: Managing Financial Risks & Protecting the Environment
June 1998

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Using Distributed Resources to Manage Risks Caused by Demand Uncertainty
January 1998

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1997

Distributed Generation & Micro-Grids
September 1997

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Credit Ratings & Photovoltaic Investments
September 1997

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Investments Under Uncertainty: State Prices in Incomplete Markets
August 1997

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Integrating Renewable Energy Technologies in the Electric Supply Industry: A Risk Management Approach
 |  June 1997

Identifies the renewable energy technology risks to utilities, and how to mitigate those risks Download PDF...

Managing Risk Using Renewable Energy Technologies
 |  January 1997

Explains how owning renewable energy technologies can mitigate risk faced by the electric utility industry Download...

1996

Identifying Distributed Generation & Demand Side Management Investment Opportunities
September 1996

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Distributed Generation: An Alternative to Electric Utility Investments in System Capacity
September 1996

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Photovoltaic Economics & Markets: The Sacramento Municipal Utility District as a Case Study
September 1996

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Strategic Planning in Electric Utilities: Using Wind Technologies as Risk Management Tools
June 1996

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Strategic Planning in Electric Utilities: Using Renewable Energy Technologies as Risk Management Tools
April 1996

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1995

The Value of Grid-Support Photovoltaics In Reducing Distribution System Losses
September 1995

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Performance & Value Analysis of the Kerman 500 kW Photovoltaic Power Plant
April 1995

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1994

The Value of Grid-Support Photovoltaics to Substation Transformers
August 1994

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The Value of Grid-Support Photovoltaics in Providing Distribution System Voltage Support
June 1994

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1993

PV DSM: Policy Actions to Speed Commercialization
May 1993

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1992

Evaluating the Revenue Impacts of Customer-Sited Renewable Generation Using Load Research Data
October 1992

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1991

Economic Determination of Optimal Plant Design for Photovoltaics in the Utility Distribution System
June 1991

1988

Calculating Photovoltaics’ Value: A Utility Perspective
June 1988

1987

Two Years of Performance Data for the World’s Largest Photovoltaic Power Plant
June 1987

Blog

Investigating variation of soiling and snow loss models using SolarAnywhere® data
Jul 2, 2024
Investigating variation of soiling and snow loss models using SolarAnywhere® data

Soiling and snow on PV systems can lead to significant annual energy losses, reaching up to 50%1 and 40%2 in certain regions. Our study investigates common models for estimating soiling and snow-related energy impacts. By analyzing these soiling and snow loss models at a 1 km spatial resolution, incorporating typical PV system parameters and leveraging […]

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SolarAnywhere Data Version 3.8 includes new high latitude irradiance data
Jun 12, 2024
SolarAnywhere Data Version 3.8 includes new high latitude irradiance data

Clean Power Research® releases a new SolarAnywhere® data version annually. This year’s update addresses the changing needs of the solar industry as projects expand to more northern, snowy locations with appreciable wind risk by offering new high-latitude irradiance data. Consistent with years past, we also published our annual validation whitepaper to communicate the accuracy of […]

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SolarAnywhere Data Version 3.8 includes new high latitude irradiance data
Jun 12, 2024
SolarAnywhere Data Version 3.8 includes new high latitude irradiance data

1 Hicks, W. (2021, April 1). Scientists Studying Solar Try Solving a Dusty Problem. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Link2 Keith, J., & Ryberg, D. (2017). Integration, Validation, and Application of a PV Snow Coverage Model in SAM. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Technical Report No. NREL/TP-6A20-68705. Link3 Coello, M., & Boyle,L. (2019, June 12) Simple […]

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