In a recently exchanged correspondence, my use of the PVGIS software to collect data for subsequent analysis was questioned, with the view taken that this may not represent the most professional approach. In light of the fact that the software in question provides all the requisite data for calculating electricity production from photovoltaics and that other scientific studies have previously used it, I am interested to learn your views on this matter.
I guess any SW collecting solar data based on climate models could be used to indicate the potential of solar energy and electricity production (to demonstrate the possibility of visualizing the data on maps). It could be a good start for architecture or GIS researches.
However, using real data collected from the location may be a better indicator and reliable source for electrical energy calculations. Solar data collection should be taken for few years of course to indicate energy production in 4 seasons. Moreover, you have to develop the energy model by yourself based on scientific and engineering disciplines. You should be able to UNDERSTAND the study area more than the SW. This is based on my own research experience when I collaborated with Mechanical Engineering professors specialized in solar energy.
Needless to say that climate change may impact renewable energy researches now and in the near future which we should take into consideration.
Ps. This is an interdisciplinary research and all disciplines are important to conduct a successful research.
Good luck
Thank you for your valuable answer. I found very interesting your study on rooftop PV potential through GIS applications. I think it is important to scientifically assess the site-specific renewable energy potential using GIS tools in order to drive policy decision-making.
Thank you for your comments.
Yes indeed GIS and RS could play a crucial role in PV planning in cities and drive informative policy decisions making.
Very High Resolution (VHR) satlite images could provide plenty of useful info - for engineering projects too - such as roof areas and buildings hights. It is still expensive though.
Good luck
The output of any simulation model is as good as the input provided. If the input data is properly authenticated, then the out put can be relied upon for further modeling of any device/ system. To cross check, if you have access to another simulation software, it will be good to use that as well for comparison purpose. Alternatively, if you have real measured data from a geographically/ climatically similar site, that could be used to authenticate your simulation results.
I am a researcher in the area, with articles involving the use of PVGIS and other bases. Everything will depend on the application. There are applications for which PVGIS would not really be the best option. For example, any analysis of large PV power plants, the correct simulation is done with local solarimetric data. Now for example, for those who are going to simulate small systems it won't make that much of a difference. There are also works that test and compare bases, or works that apply mathematical modeling that can also be used.
Another point is when you need to work with a smaller scale step (time). Then only with real data. Applications with batteries, for example, need to work with low steps, and this is often not possible with PVGIS, Meteonorm and other bases. These bases do not reflect the intermittence depending on the step.
From my point of view, PVGIS is a very versatile tool for various calculations related to PV systems, using reliable and high-resolution weather data for the calculations. It can therefore also be used for scientific studies and simulation models.
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