The Component Solar Radiation
The component Solar Radiation defines the energy input of the sun for the components that generate heat or electricity from solar radiation: Photovoltaic, Solar Collector, and Concentrating Solar Collector.
For several solar components with structural optimization, which share a solar field area, the component also maps the total available area, which is optimally distributed to the individual solar systems in the structural optimization.
Component Template
The Solar_Radiation.e-ctpl component template is located in the Component template library folder Renewable Energy Sources.
Integration Into a Scheme
How the Component Works
The Solar Radiation component is used together with at least one solar component (photovoltaic, solar collector, or concentrating solar collector) to map the environment. Several solar components can also be connected to one solar radiation component.
In the solar radiation component, the radiation data of the sun, weather, and geographical data are specified (see following figure).
By default, these data are linked to the master data of the project. To enter a different time series or a constant value, use the context menu of the respective identifier to disconnect the master data link (see the following figure).
To restore the link to the master data of the project, use the context menu again (see the following figure).
To link to the master data, the choice data value window opens. Switch to the weather data tab and select air temperature (see following figure).
The Ambient temperature can be entered directly in the component as a time series or constant value or it can be linked to the master data of the project via the context menu (see following figure).
The window closes and the air temperature is transferred from the master data to the solar radiation component.
To remove the link again, also use the context menu of the air temperature identifier (see following figure).
The Solar radiation on the horizontal ground surface can be entered either as Global irradiance or as Direct and diffuse irradiance. If global irradiance is entered the direct and diffuse radiation are calculated using a model in the component.
Photovoltaic and solar thermal systems can process both direct and diffuse radiation. Concentrating solar collectors can only convert direct solar radiation into thermal energy. Therefore, only direct radiation is taken into account in this component to calculate the heat output.
From the geographical data the sun position is calculated.
For example, for an hourly resolved time series at 10 a.m., the reference time 10:30 a.m. is used as the mean value of the interval from 10 to 11 a.m.
Competitive Solar Field Area
For the structural optimization of several components that are to share a solar field area, e.g., solar thermal and photovoltaic systems that are mounted on a roof, the checkbox of the option Competitive solar field area can be activated. Then the additional input field Available solar field area appears, in which you enter the maximum total area available for all components (see following figure).
All components competing for the same solar surface must be connected to this solar radiation component.
