pvlib.solarposition.ephemeris

pvlib.solarposition.ephemeris(time, latitude, longitude, pressure=101325, temperature=12)[source]

Python-native solar position calculator. The accuracy of this code is not guaranteed. Consider using the built-in spa_c code or the PyEphem library.

Parameters:
time : pandas.DatetimeIndex
latitude : float
longitude : float
pressure : float or Series, default 101325

Ambient pressure (Pascals)

temperature : float or Series, default 12

Ambient temperature (C)

Returns:
DataFrame with the following columns:
  • apparent_elevation : apparent sun elevation accounting for atmospheric refraction.
  • elevation : actual elevation (not accounting for refraction) of the sun in decimal degrees, 0 = on horizon. The complement of the zenith angle.
  • azimuth : Azimuth of the sun in decimal degrees East of North. This is the complement of the apparent zenith angle.
  • apparent_zenith : apparent sun zenith accounting for atmospheric refraction.
  • zenith : Solar zenith angle
  • solar_time : Solar time in decimal hours (solar noon is 12.00).

See also

pyephem, spa_c, spa_python

References

Grover Hughes’ class and related class materials on Engineering Astronomy at Sandia National Laboratories, 1985.