pvlib.pvsystem.PVSystem

class pvlib.pvsystem.PVSystem(surface_tilt=0, surface_azimuth=180, albedo=None, surface_type=None, module=None, module_type='glass_polymer', module_parameters=None, temperature_model_parameters=None, modules_per_string=1, strings_per_inverter=1, inverter=None, inverter_parameters=None, racking_model='open_rack', losses_parameters=None, name=None, **kwargs)[source]

The PVSystem class defines a standard set of PV system attributes and modeling functions. This class describes the collection and interactions of PV system components rather than an installed system on the ground. It is typically used in combination with Location and ModelChain objects.

See the LocalizedPVSystem class for an object model that describes an installed PV system.

The class supports basic system topologies consisting of:

  • N total modules arranged in series (modules_per_string=N, strings_per_inverter=1).
  • M total modules arranged in parallel (modules_per_string=1, strings_per_inverter=M).
  • NxM total modules arranged in M strings of N modules each (modules_per_string=N, strings_per_inverter=M).

The class is complementary to the module-level functions.

The attributes should generally be things that don’t change about the system, such the type of module and the inverter. The instance methods accept arguments for things that do change, such as irradiance and temperature.

Parameters:
  • surface_tilt (float or array-like, default 0) – Surface tilt angles in decimal degrees. The tilt angle is defined as degrees from horizontal (e.g. surface facing up = 0, surface facing horizon = 90)
  • surface_azimuth (float or array-like, default 180) – Azimuth angle of the module surface. North=0, East=90, South=180, West=270.
  • albedo (None or float, default None) – The ground albedo. If None, will attempt to use surface_type and irradiance.SURFACE_ALBEDOS to lookup albedo.
  • surface_type (None or string, default None) – The ground surface type. See irradiance.SURFACE_ALBEDOS for valid values.
  • module (None or string, default None) – The model name of the modules. May be used to look up the module_parameters dictionary via some other method.
  • module_type (None or string, default 'glass_polymer') – Describes the module’s construction. Valid strings are ‘glass_polymer’ and ‘glass_glass’. Used for cell and module temperature calculations.
  • module_parameters (None, dict or Series, default None) – Module parameters as defined by the SAPM, CEC, or other.
  • temperature_model_parameters (None, dict or Series, default None.) – Temperature model parameters as defined by the SAPM, Pvsyst, or other.
  • modules_per_string (int or float, default 1) – See system topology discussion above.
  • strings_per_inverter (int or float, default 1) – See system topology discussion above.
  • inverter (None or string, default None) – The model name of the inverters. May be used to look up the inverter_parameters dictionary via some other method.
  • inverter_parameters (None, dict or Series, default None) – Inverter parameters as defined by the SAPM, CEC, or other.
  • racking_model (None or string, default 'open_rack') – Valid strings are ‘open_rack’, ‘close_mount’, and ‘insulated_back’. Used to identify a parameter set for the SAPM cell temperature model.
  • losses_parameters (None, dict or Series, default None) – Losses parameters as defined by PVWatts or other.
  • name (None or string, default None) –
  • **kwargs – Arbitrary keyword arguments. Included for compatibility, but not used.

See also

pvlib.location.Location, pvlib.tracking.SingleAxisTracker, pvlib.pvsystem.LocalizedPVSystem

__init__(surface_tilt=0, surface_azimuth=180, albedo=None, surface_type=None, module=None, module_type='glass_polymer', module_parameters=None, temperature_model_parameters=None, modules_per_string=1, strings_per_inverter=1, inverter=None, inverter_parameters=None, racking_model='open_rack', losses_parameters=None, name=None, **kwargs)[source]

Initialize self. See help(type(self)) for accurate signature.

Methods

__init__([surface_tilt, surface_azimuth, …]) Initialize self.
adrinverter(v_dc, p_dc)
ashraeiam(aoi) Deprecated.
calcparams_cec(effective_irradiance, …) Use the calcparams_cec() function, the input parameters and self.module_parameters to calculate the module currents and resistances.
calcparams_desoto(effective_irradiance, …) Use the calcparams_desoto() function, the input parameters and self.module_parameters to calculate the module currents and resistances.
calcparams_pvsyst(effective_irradiance, …) Use the calcparams_pvsyst() function, the input parameters and self.module_parameters to calculate the module currents and resistances.
faiman_celltemp(poa_global, temp_air[, …]) Use temperature.faiman() to calculate cell temperature.
first_solar_spectral_loss(pw, airmass_absolute) Use the first_solar_spectral_correction() function to calculate the spectral loss modifier.
get_aoi(solar_zenith, solar_azimuth) Get the angle of incidence on the system.
get_iam(aoi[, iam_model]) Determine the incidence angle modifier using the method specified by iam_model.
get_irradiance(solar_zenith, solar_azimuth, …) Uses the irradiance.get_total_irradiance() function to calculate the plane of array irradiance components on a tilted surface defined by self.surface_tilt, self.surface_azimuth, and self.albedo.
i_from_v(resistance_shunt, …) Wrapper around the i_from_v() function.
localize([location, latitude, longitude]) Creates a LocalizedPVSystem object using this object and location data.
physicaliam(aoi) Deprecated.
pvsyst_celltemp(poa_global, temp_air[, …]) Uses temperature.pvsyst_cell() to calculate cell temperature.
pvwatts_ac(pdc) Calculates AC power according to the PVWatts model using pvwatts_ac(), self.module_parameters[‘pdc0’], and eta_inv_nom=self.inverter_parameters[‘eta_inv_nom’].
pvwatts_dc(g_poa_effective, temp_cell) Calcuates DC power according to the PVWatts model using pvwatts_dc(), self.module_parameters[‘pdc0’], and self.module_parameters[‘gamma_pdc’].
pvwatts_losses() Calculates DC power losses according the PVwatts model using pvwatts_losses() and self.losses_parameters.`
sapm(effective_irradiance, temp_cell, **kwargs) Use the sapm() function, the input parameters, and self.module_parameters to calculate Voc, Isc, Ix, Ixx, Vmp, and Imp.
sapm_aoi_loss(aoi) Deprecated.
sapm_celltemp(poa_global, temp_air, wind_speed) Uses temperature.sapm_cell() to calculate cell temperatures.
sapm_effective_irradiance(poa_direct, …[, …]) Use the sapm_effective_irradiance() function, the input parameters, and self.module_parameters to calculate effective irradiance.
sapm_spectral_loss(airmass_absolute) Use the sapm_spectral_loss() function, the input parameters, and self.module_parameters to calculate F1.
scale_voltage_current_power(data) Scales the voltage, current, and power of the DataFrames returned by singlediode() and sapm() by self.modules_per_string and self.strings_per_inverter.
singlediode(photocurrent, …[, ivcurve_pnts]) Wrapper around the singlediode() function.
snlinverter(v_dc, p_dc) Uses snlinverter() to calculate AC power based on self.inverter_parameters and the input parameters.