pvlib.solarposition.get_solarposition

pvlib.solarposition.get_solarposition(time, latitude, longitude, altitude=None, pressure=None, method='nrel_numpy', temperature=12, **kwargs)[source]

A convenience wrapper for the solar position calculators.

Parameters

  • time (pandas.DatetimeIndex) – Must be localized or UTC will be assumed.

  • latitude (float) – Latitude in decimal degrees. Positive north of equator, negative to south.

  • longitude (float) – Longitude in decimal degrees. Positive east of prime meridian, negative to west.

  • altitude (None or float, default None) – If None, computed from pressure. Assumed to be 0 m if pressure is also None.

  • pressure (None or float, default None) – If None, computed from altitude. Assumed to be 101325 Pa if altitude is also None.

  • method (string, default 'nrel_numpy') –

    ‘nrel_numpy’ uses an implementation of the NREL SPA algorithm described in [1] (default, recommended): spa_python()

    ’nrel_numba’ uses an implementation of the NREL SPA algorithm described in [1], but also compiles the code first: spa_python()

    ’pyephem’ uses the PyEphem package: pyephem()

    ’ephemeris’ uses the pvlib ephemeris code: ephemeris()

    ’nrel_c’ uses the NREL SPA C code [3]: spa_c()

  • temperature (float, default 12) – Degrees C.

  • kwargs – Other keywords are passed to the solar position function specified by the method argument.

References

1

I. Reda and A. Andreas, Solar position algorithm for solar radiation applications. Solar Energy, vol. 76, no. 5, pp. 577-589, 2004.

2

I. Reda and A. Andreas, Corrigendum to Solar position algorithm for solar radiation applications. Solar Energy, vol. 81, no. 6, p. 838, 2007.

3

NREL SPA code: http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/codesandalgorithms/spa/

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