pvlib

0.15.0 · active · verified Sun Apr 12

pvlib python is a free and open source library that provides a set of functions and classes for simulating the performance of photovoltaic energy systems. It includes tools for solar position, clear sky irradiance, array sizing, PV system modeling, and data input/output. The current version is 0.15.0, with major releases typically occurring annually, and minor releases addressing bugs and adding features more frequently.

Warnings

breaking Several `ModelChain.run_*` methods (e.g., `run_cec_sam`, `run_tmy_data`, `run_poa_cec_inverter`) were removed in v0.14.0. Users should now use the more general `ModelChain.run_model()` method and pass appropriate data structures for inputs.
Fix: Migrate to `ModelChain.run_model()` with explicit data inputs (e.g., `ModelChain.run_model(weather_data)` where `weather_data` contains GHI, DNI, DHI, etc.).
breaking The `pvlib.irradiance.perez` function no longer accepts `dni_extra` or `airmass` as explicit parameters since v0.14.0. These values are now computed internally if not provided through `dni_extra_kwargs` or `airmass_model`.
Fix: Remove `dni_extra` and `airmass` parameters from calls to `pvlib.irradiance.perez`. If custom calculation is needed, supply arguments via `dni_extra_kwargs` or `airmass_model`.
breaking The `wind_speed` parameter was renamed to `temp_air_wind_speed` in `pvlib.temperature.sapm_module` (v0.13.0) and in `pvlib.temperature.pvsyst_cell` (v0.15.0) to improve naming consistency.
Fix: Update calls to `pvlib.temperature.sapm_module` and `pvlib.temperature.pvsyst_cell` to use the `temp_air_wind_speed` parameter name instead of `wind_speed`.
breaking The `pvlib.singlediode.bishop88_i_from_v` function was removed in v0.13.0, and `pvlib.singlediode.bishop88` (the main function) was deprecated in v0.13.0 and removed in v0.15.0.
Fix: Migrate to alternative single-diode models or other functions within `pvlib.singlediode` (e.g., `pvlib.singlediode.singlediode`).
gotcha Since v0.12.0, `Location.tz` and `PVSystem.tz` attributes now store `pytz.timezone` objects directly instead of string representations of timezones. This can break code that expects a string for timezone checking or serialization.
Fix: Access the string representation using `.tz.tzname(times[0])` or convert to string if necessary, e.g., `str(location.tz)`.

Install

pip install pvlib Install pvlib

Imports

Location
```
from pvlib.location import Location
```

get_solarposition

from pvlib.solar_position import get_solarposition

ModelChain
```
from pvlib.modelchain import ModelChain
```
PVSystem
```
from pvlib.pvsystem import PVSystem
```

get_total_irradiance

from pvlib.irradiance import get_total_irradiance

Quickstart

This quickstart code defines a geographical location, creates a time series, and then calculates the solar position (zenith, azimuth, etc.) for those times using pvlib's core functionalities. It demonstrates basic usage of `Location` and `get_solarposition`.

import pandas as pd
from pvlib.location import Location
from pvlib.solar_position import get_solarposition

# Define a location (Tucson, Arizona)
tucson = Location(32.2, -110.9, 'US/Arizona', 792, 'Tucson')

# Define time range
times = pd.date_range('2024-01-01 12:00:00', freq='H', periods=3, tz=tucson.tz)

# Get solar position
solpos = get_solarposition(times, tucson.latitude, tucson.longitude)

print(solpos)

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