Modeling, data opportunities available for photovoltaic performance and modeling community

The Photovoltaic (PV) Performance and Modeling Collaborative (PVPMC) has announced several upcoming solar research opportunities that may be of interest to the PVPMC community, including PV modeling comparisons and the chance to participate in the Department of Energy’s Solar Data Bounty Prize.

2023 Blind PVPMC Modeling Comparison Call for Participants: Following the success of the 2021 Blind PVPMC Modeling Comparison, Sandia National Laboratories has organized a new blind modeling comparison based on the findings, lessons learned and feedback received from the 2021 study. Participants will receive measured weather and irradiance data along with detailed descriptions of PV systems from two locations: Germany in Phase 1, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, in Phase 2. Phase 1 will run from July to Sept. 2023, whereas Phase 2 will run from Oct. 2023 to Feb. 2024. Participants will be asked to simulate the plane-of-array irradiance, when applicable, module temperature, and DC and AC power outputs from four scenarios. Results will be submitted to Sandia for processing. For questions, email Dr. Marios Theristis (mtheris@sandia.gov).

IEA PVPS Task 13 Bifacial Tracking Modeling Comparison: The International Energy Agency (IEA) PVPS Task 13 group is preparing a report on best practices related to bifacial PV tracking systems that will focus on design, performance and reliability issues. PVPMC invites participants to simulate a set of seven imaginary PV systems where the system design and weather data have been provided. Anonymized results will be combined and analyzed to show similarities and differences between the models. Please be sure to include “IEA PVPS Bifi Tracking Modeling Exercise,” in subject line. Modeling results are due Aug. 18, 2023. Participants should note that by participating in these modeling comparison activities and providing results, Sandia assumes it has permission to include them in comparisons and publish the results anonymously. Questions may be sent to Joshua Stein (jsstein@sandia.gov).

American-Made Solar Data Bounty Prize: Sandia is excited to share that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently launched the American-Made Solar Data Bounty Prize. This competition seeks to increase the accessibility of high-quality time-series datasets for photovoltaic systems and offers up to a combined total of $1.4 million in grand prizes, runner up awards and bonus prizes. U.S.-based PV system owners and entities authorized to share data from PV systems are encouraged to apply. Application materials for Stage 1 of the Solar Data Bounty Prize are due Aug. 14, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Learn more at the Photovoltaic (PV) Performance and Modeling Collaborative.