An automated solar shading calculator

Abstract

Designers of solar systems often estimate solar performance based on the site latitude, averaged weather profiles and the characteristics of the solar system. This paper presents a means of integrating this predicted insolation with losses due to direct shading of the solar system. An automated artificial horizon capture and processing system is presented. This artificial horizon is then compared to the solar coordinates at high time resolution so that shading losses may be summarised over an arbitrary period. The approach is applicable to photovoltaics, solar thermal and building applications. A subroutine has been produced for the popular TRNSYS modelling package.