pvlib.snow.loss_townsend#

pvlib.snow.loss_townsend(snow_total, snow_events, surface_tilt, relative_humidity, temp_air, poa_global, slant_height, lower_edge_height, string_factor=1.0, angle_of_repose=40)[source]#

Calculates monthly snow loss based on the Townsend monthly snow loss model.

This model is described in [1].

Parameters:

snow_total (array-like) – Snow received each month. Referred to as S in [1]. [cm]
snow_events (array-like) – Number of snowfall events each month. Snow events are defined as days in the month that have snowfall greater than 1 inch. May be int or float type for the average events in a typical month. Referred to as N in [1].
surface_tilt (float) – Tilt angle of the array. [deg]
relative_humidity (array-like) – Monthly average relative humidity. [%]
temp_air (array-like) – Monthly average ambient temperature. [C]
poa_global (array-like) – Monthly plane of array insolation. [Wh/m2]
slant_height (float) – Row length in the slanted plane of array dimension. [m]
lower_edge_height (float) – Distance from array lower edge to the ground. [m]
string_factor (float, default 1.0) – Multiplier applied to monthly loss fraction. Use 1.0 if the DC array has only one string of modules in the slant direction, use 0.75 otherwise. [-]
angle_of_repose (float, default 40) – Piled snow angle, assumed to stabilize at 40°, the midpoint of 25°-55° avalanching slope angles. [deg]

Returns:

loss (array-like) – Monthly average DC capacity loss fraction due to snow coverage.

Notes

This model has not been validated for tracking arrays; however, for tracking arrays [1] suggests using the maximum rotation angle in place of surface_tilt. The author of [1] recommends using one-half the table width for slant_height, i.e., the distance from the tracker axis to the module edge.

The parameter string_factor is an enhancement added to the model after publication of [1] per private communication with the model’s author. The definition for snow events documented above is also based on private communication with the model’s author.

References