Automating the process of simulation

I have an standard design that I want to simulate in multiple sets of Lat, Long and would like to export an 8760 time series hourly data in excel for each location. What is the easiest way to do this if you are not a Python coder?

Your help is appreciated,

Stephen Benchluch

Hi Stephen,

If there are not too many locations and you are not an experienced coder or programmer, running the simulations by hand may be the quickest approach.

The other approach would be to use parametric simulations: You would first download a weather file for each location and put them in a folder, and then use the method described for parametric simulations here: sam.nrel.gov/simulation-options.html . That would require exporting the 8760 data for each run from the parametric table by hand.

You could also use the solar-resource-simulate-multiple-files.lk script available here: github.com/NREL/SAM/tree/develop/samples/LK%20Scripts%20for%20SAM (instructions are at the bottom of that page for how to download and run LK scripts).

Best regards,
Paul.

Paul,

Thank you very much. I perhaps did not describe my objective very well. I want to simulate a list of 30 PV plants. I will use the same design for the 30 plants but will change a) location (latitude, longitude) and b) plant capacity for each plant. What is the easiest way to do this? Do you believe that the solar-resource-simulate-multiple-files.lk script does the job for me?

Your help is appreciated,

Stephen Benchluch

Hi Stephen,

Yes, I think using that LK script would be the best approach. You will have to modify it to set the value of the plant's capacity.

I would recommend using PVWatts for that analysis to be sure that the plant capacity is what you want it to be without having to worry about number of modules and inverters.

Best regards,
Paul.