The “Best Practices Handbook for the Collection and Use of Solar Resource Data for Solar Energy Applications” provides best practices for obtaining and applying solar resource data across a range of solar technologies, including photovoltaics (PV), solar heating and cooling, and concentrating solar power (CSP). A particular focus is placed on the importance of reliable solar radiation data, which is crucial for everything from site selection and system design to financial assessments and grid integration.
Reflecting the rapid advancements in solar energy technologies, this edition features several key updates:
- New Chapters on Data Quality and Solar Resource Variability: These sections emphasize the importance of assessing and controlling data quality, as well as understanding the temporal and spatial variability of solar radiation, crucial for both short-term grid management and long-term project planning.
- Integration of Cutting-Edge Technology: Advancements in satellite-based modeling, machine learning, and solar forecasting methods—such as all-sky imaging and probabilistic forecasting—are covered in depth, offering tools for more precise predictions of solar energy output.
- Comprehensive Coverage of Solar Resource Assessment: The handbook includes best practices for solar radiation measurement techniques, uncertainty estimation, and data quality control to ensure the accuracy and bankability of solar resource data in large-scale energy systems.
