How to use SAM for Simulating Floating Solar PV

Damaseck Chirwa
Topic Author
New Member

22 Jun 2021 03:10 #9738 by Damaseck Chirwa

Replied by Damaseck Chirwa on topic How to use SAM for Simulating Floating Solar PV

Thank you so much.
What about when simulating for FPV using SAM, NREL literature is saying we use a tilt angle of 11 degrees. The question is how did they arrive at this angle? Is it for any location anywhere in the world?
On the Financial Parameters, (Capital and Operating Cost) How do i take care of the cost of the Floating and Mooring system?
Thank you
Damaseck

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Paul Gilman
Platinum Member

23 Jun 2021 16:08 #9743 by Paul Gilman

Replied by Paul Gilman on topic How to use SAM for Simulating Floating Solar PV

Hi Damaseck,

One consideration for the choice of tilt angle is wind loads on the modules and supporting structure. I am not familiar with the floating PV literature, so don't know what was considered in choosing the value you mention.

SAM's financial models used the total installed cost, so it doesn't really matter how you assign costs to the various categories on the System Costs page. One option would be to assign those costs to the balance of system equipment category.

Best regards,
Paul.

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Damaseck Chirwa
Topic Author
New Member

04 Jul 2021 05:17 #9774 by Damaseck Chirwa

Replied by Damaseck Chirwa on topic How to use SAM for Simulating Floating Solar PV

Good morning Sir, please help me with 2 questions:
1. After running a simulation of a solar PV project, how do i determine how much GHG (Green House Gas) i would have saved?
2. For a 1 MW Floating Solar PV Plant, how do i determine the amount of water saved through evaporation?

Thanks

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Paul Gilman
Platinum Member

06 Jul 2021 23:31 #9786 by Paul Gilman

Replied by Paul Gilman on topic How to use SAM for Simulating Floating Solar PV

Hi Damaseck,

SAM does not calculate either of those values.

Best regards,
Paul.

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FC
New Member

14 Aug 2021 05:32 #9932 by FC

Replied by FC on topic How to use SAM for Simulating Floating Solar PV

It may be possible to simulate Floating Solar PV in SAM if some of the parameters in SA could be modified, say in the configuration file or input parameter string.

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

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