East-West PV configuration

Hi Kevin,

Thank you for attaching the SAM files and providing the diagrams.

SAM's inputs are designed either for arrays of modules that are in the same plane, or parallel rows of modules that all have the same orientation (tilt and azimuth angle). There are ways to approximate other layouts like yours.

If you assume there will be no self shading, then I think the approach of modeling all of the east-facing modules in one subarray and the west-facing modules in another subarray without enabling self shading should give you reasonable results. Your diagram shows an odd number of modules in each row, so from the top view, I'm not sure which modules face east and which ones face west.

The way you have the self shading inputs set up in the "eastwest_shading" case , SAM is modeling Subarray 1as 3 rows of east facing modules tilted at 10 degrees and almost touching, so I would expect it to calculate shading losses, especially given the relatively high latitude of almost 50 degrees North. Subarray 2 is 5 rows of west-facing modules.

Best regards,
Paul.

Hi Steph,

For self shading calculation purposes, SAM models subarrays separately, so it can't model shadows caused by of rows of modules in one subarray on rows in another subarray.

Best regards,
Paul.