Model step
Sky-diffuse masking
Sky diffuse irradiance blocked by neighbouring rows
Inputs used: GCR (ground cover ratio), Plane tilt, Collector band width, Top inactive band
What it is
A module in the middle of a field does not see the whole sky: the row in front hides the part of the sky near the horizon. This step computes the fraction of the diffuse sky light the modules still receive. It acts at every timestep.
Options
- Isotropic integral of the row shading factor: the row shading factor integrated over a uniform sky
- View factor: the view factor of the sky from points across the collector
- Passias masking angle: the masking angle of Passias and Källbäck, averaged over the collector
References
- Gilman, DiOrio, Freeman, Janzou, Dobos & Ryberg 2018, SAM Photovoltaic Model Technical Reference Update, NREL/TP-6A20-67399
API
array.sky_masking_method = isotropic_integral | view_factor | passias