ModelChain

Creating a ModelChain object.

modelchain.ModelChain(system, location[, …])

The ModelChain class to provides a standardized, high-level interface for all of the modeling steps necessary for calculating PV power from a time series of weather inputs.

modelchain.ModelChain.with_pvwatts(system, …)

ModelChain that follows the PVWatts methods.

modelchain.ModelChain.with_sapm(system, location)

ModelChain that follows the Sandia Array Performance Model (SAPM) methods.

Running

A ModelChain can be run from a number of starting points, depending on the input data available.

modelchain.ModelChain.run_model(weather)

Run the model chain starting with broadband global, diffuse and/or direct irradiance.

modelchain.ModelChain.run_model_from_poa(data)

Run the model starting with broadband irradiance in the plane of array.

modelchain.ModelChain.run_model_from_effective_irradiance([data])

Run the model starting with effective irradiance in the plane of array.

Functions to assist with setting up ModelChains to run

modelchain.ModelChain.complete_irradiance(weather)

Determine the missing irradiation columns.

modelchain.ModelChain.prepare_inputs(weather)

Prepare the solar position, irradiance, and weather inputs to the model, starting with GHI, DNI and DHI.

modelchain.ModelChain.prepare_inputs_from_poa(data)

Prepare the solar position, irradiance and weather inputs to the model, starting with plane-of-array irradiance.

Results

Output from the running the ModelChain is stored in the modelchain.ModelChain.results attribute. For more information see modelchain.ModelChainResult.

Attributes

Simple ModelChain attributes:

system, location, clearsky_model, transposition_model, solar_position_method, airmass_model

Inference methods

Methods that automatically determine which models should be used based on the information in the associated PVSystem object.

modelchain.ModelChain.infer_dc_model()

Infer DC power model from Array module parameters.

modelchain.ModelChain.infer_ac_model()

Infer AC power model from system attributes.

modelchain.ModelChain.infer_aoi_model()

modelchain.ModelChain.infer_spectral_model()

Infer spectral model from system attributes.

modelchain.ModelChain.infer_temperature_model()

Infer temperature model from system attributes.

modelchain.ModelChain.infer_losses_model()

Functions

Functions for power modeling.

modelchain.basic_chain(times, latitude, …)

An experimental function that computes all of the modeling steps necessary for calculating power or energy for a PV system at a given location.

modelchain.get_orientation(strategy, **kwargs)

Determine a PV system’s surface tilt and surface azimuth using a named strategy.