pvlib.solarposition.sun_rise_set_transit_spa¶

pvlib.solarposition.sun_rise_set_transit_spa(times, latitude, longitude, how='numpy', delta_t=67.0, numthreads=4)[source]¶

Calculate the sunrise, sunset, and sun transit times using the NREL SPA algorithm described in [1].

If numba is installed, the functions can be compiled to machine code and the function can be multithreaded. Without numba, the function evaluates via numpy with a slight performance hit.

Parameters:

times : pandas.DatetimeIndex: Must be localized to the timezone for latitude and longitude.
latitude : float: Latitude in degrees, positive north of equator, negative to south
longitude : float: Longitude in degrees, positive east of prime meridian, negative to west
delta_t : float, optional: If delta_t is None, uses spa.calculate_deltat using times.year and times.month from pandas.DatetimeIndex. For most simulations specifing delta_t is sufficient. Difference between terrestrial time and UT1. delta_t = None will break code using nrel_numba, this will be fixed in a future version. By default, use USNO historical data and predictions
how : str, optional, default ‘numpy’: Options are ‘numpy’ or ‘numba’. If numba >= 0.17.0 is installed, how=’numba’ will compile the spa functions to machine code and run them multithreaded.
numthreads : int, optional, default 4: Number of threads to use if how == ‘numba’.

Returns:

pandas.DataFrame: index is the same as input times argument columns are ‘sunrise’, ‘sunset’, and ‘transit’

References

[1] Reda, I., Andreas, A., 2003. Solar position algorithm for solar radiation applications. Technical report: NREL/TP-560- 34302. Golden, USA, http://www.nrel.gov.