Can I modify a cell temperature model equation

Hello Paul,

I'm trying to use SAM to model a floating PV system and I wanted to change the equation SAM uses to calculate cell temperature. The equation found in the literature is rather simple and considers ambient temperature, irradiance and wind speed something between the lines of tcell = a*ambient temperature + b*irradiance + c*wind speed.

Is there a way to modify the way it is calculated to a user input equation?

Thanks for the support,

Bruno

Dear Bruno,

It is not possible to modify the equation SAM's photovoltaic models calculate cell temperature. The different module models offer different cell temperature calculation options.

We are making some changes to the structure of the photovoltaic models that may make it possible to define a custom equation in the future, so I've added your request to a related one on the SAM GitHub Issues list:

github.com/NREL/SAM/issues/106

Best regards,
Paul.

May I know an update on this concern? Thank you!

Hi Adriane,

We are not actively working on this issue at the moment.

SAM is an open source software project, so it would be possible to build your own version of SAM and modify the cell temperature calculations. You can find build instructions on the SAM GitHub repository's wiki: github.com/NREL/SAM/wiki .

Best regards,
Paul.

Thank you for the quick response!

It may be possible to simulate Floating Solar PV in SAM if cell temperatures could be modified or offset in SAM.

Procedures for modifying some of the parameters for floating solar in PVlib or PVsyst are described herein:

Sustainability Assessment Framework and Methodology with Trans-disciplinary Numerical Simulation Model for Analytical Floatovoltaic Energy System Planning Assessments

www.researchgate.net/publication/353718769_Sustainability_Assessment_Framework_and_Methodology_with_Trans-disciplinary_Numerical_Simulation_Model_for_Analytical_Floatovoltaic_Energy_System_Planning_Assessments