Improved evaluation of solar electricity production for increased investments in PV technology

The project goal is to increase the investments in PV technology by describing how data of solar irradiance and temperature can be processed to generate accurate evaluations of forecasted solar electricity generation in Sweden.

Solar energy is growing rapidly in Sweden, with an increasing demand of accurate forecasting and evaluation of annual electricity generation from solar power systems as a consequence. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how varying solar irradiance and air temperature in Sweden affect the annual generation of solar electricity. There is also an absence of detailed documentation of how solar irradiance is varying with time and location in Sweden, as well as a lack of knowledge about how to obtain reliable values of solar irradiance for a specific location. Hence the purpose of this project is to increase the investments in PV technology by describing how data of solar irradiance and temperature can be processed to generate accurate evaluations of forecasted solar electricity generation in Sweden. The aim is also to suggest future improvements of solar irradiance data to make more accurate forecasting and evaluation possible in the future.

Role of SMHI

SMHI participates as a provider of solar irradiance measurements and by offering scientific advice regarding solar radiation modelling.

Collaboration

The project is lead by Solkompaniet Konsult Sverige AB. The work is carried out in collaboration with Eneo Solutions AB, Mälardalens högskola and SMHI. The project duration is 2015-2016 and is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Contact person at SMHI is Tomas Landelius.