pvlib.pvsystem.PVSystem

class pvlib.pvsystem.PVSystem(surface_tilt=0, surface_azimuth=180, albedo=None, surface_type=None, module=None, module_parameters=None, modules_per_string=1, strings_per_inverter=1, inverter=None, inverter_parameters=None, racking_model='open_rack_cell_glassback', name=None, **kwargs)[source]

The PVSystem class defines a standard set of PV system attributes and modeling functions. This class describes the collection and interactions of PV system components rather than an installed system on the ground. It is typically used in combination with Location and ModelChain objects.

See the LocalizedPVSystem class for an object model that describes an installed PV system.

The class supports basic system topologies consisting of:

  • N total modules arranged in series (modules_per_string=N, strings_per_inverter=1).
  • M total modules arranged in parallel (modules_per_string=1, strings_per_inverter=M).
  • NxM total modules arranged in M strings of N modules each (modules_per_string=N, strings_per_inverter=M).

The class is complementary to the module-level functions.

The attributes should generally be things that don’t change about the system, such the type of module and the inverter. The instance methods accept arguments for things that do change, such as irradiance and temperature.

Parameters:

surface_tilt: float or array-like

Tilt angle of the module surface. Up=0, horizon=90.

surface_azimuth: float or array-like

Azimuth angle of the module surface. North=0, East=90, South=180, West=270.

albedo : None, float

The ground albedo. If None, will attempt to use surface_type and irradiance.SURFACE_ALBEDOS to lookup albedo.

surface_type : None, string

The ground surface type. See irradiance.SURFACE_ALBEDOS for valid values.

module : None, string

The model name of the modules. May be used to look up the module_parameters dictionary via some other method.

module_parameters : None, dict or Series

Module parameters as defined by the SAPM, CEC, or other.

modules_per_string: int or float

See system topology discussion above.

strings_per_inverter: int or float

See system topology discussion above.

inverter : None, string

The model name of the inverters. May be used to look up the inverter_parameters dictionary via some other method.

inverter_parameters : None, dict or Series

Inverter parameters as defined by the SAPM, CEC, or other.

racking_model : None or string

Used for cell and module temperature calculations.

**kwargs

Arbitrary keyword arguments. Included for compatibility, but not used.

__init__(surface_tilt=0, surface_azimuth=180, albedo=None, surface_type=None, module=None, module_parameters=None, modules_per_string=1, strings_per_inverter=1, inverter=None, inverter_parameters=None, racking_model='open_rack_cell_glassback', name=None, **kwargs)[source]

Methods

__init__([surface_tilt, surface_azimuth, ...])
ashraeiam(aoi) Determine the incidence angle modifier using self.module_parameters['b'], aoi, and the ashraeiam() function.
calcparams_desoto(poa_global, temp_cell, ...) Use the calcparams_desoto() function, the input parameters and self.module_parameters to calculate the module currents and resistances.
get_aoi(solar_zenith, solar_azimuth) Get the angle of incidence on the system.
get_irradiance(solar_zenith, solar_azimuth, ...) Uses the irradiance.total_irrad() function to calculate the plane of array irradiance components on a tilted surface defined by self.surface_tilt, self.surface_azimuth, and self.albedo.
i_from_v(resistance_shunt, ...) Wrapper around the i_from_v() function.
localize([location, latitude, longitude]) Creates a LocalizedPVSystem object using this object and location data.
physicaliam(aoi) Determine the incidence angle modifier using aoi, self.module_parameters['K'], self.module_parameters['L'], self.module_parameters['n'], and the physicaliam() function.
pvwatts_ac(pdc) Calculates AC power according to the PVWatts model using pvwatts_ac(), self.module_parameters[‘pdc0’], and eta_inv_nom=self.inverter_parameters[‘eta_inv_nom’].
pvwatts_dc(g_poa_effective, temp_cell) Calcuates DC power according to the PVWatts model using pvwatts_dc(), self.module_parameters[‘pdc0’], and self.module_parameters[‘gamma_pdc’].
pvwatts_losses(**kwargs) Calculates DC power losses according the PVwatts model using pvwatts_losses().
sapm(effective_irradiance, temp_cell, **kwargs) Use the sapm() function, the input parameters, and self.module_parameters to calculate Voc, Isc, Ix, Ixx, Vmp/Imp.
sapm_aoi_loss(aoi) Use the sapm_aoi_loss() function, the input parameters, and self.module_parameters to calculate F2.
sapm_celltemp(irrad, wind, temp) Uses sapm_celltemp() to calculate module and cell temperatures based on self.racking_model and the input parameters.
sapm_effective_irradiance(poa_direct, ...[, ...]) Use the sapm_effective_irradiance() function, the input parameters, and self.module_parameters to calculate effective irradiance.
sapm_spectral_loss(airmass_absolute) Use the sapm_spectral_loss() function, the input parameters, and self.module_parameters to calculate F1.
scale_voltage_current_power(data) Scales the voltage, current, and power of the DataFrames returned by singlediode() and sapm() by self.modules_per_string and self.strings_per_inverter.
singlediode(photocurrent, ...[, ivcurve_pnts]) Wrapper around the singlediode() function.
snlinverter(v_dc, p_dc) Uses snlinverter() to calculate AC power based on self.inverter_parameters and the input parameters.