3D-SIM (3D-Solar Irradiance Modelling): The Optimization of An Irradiance-Interpolation-Method and its Application for Central Europe

During an analysis of high temporal resolution measurement data of several locations in Europe irradiation peaks above 1000 W/m² were recognized. These Irradiance Enhancements (IE) effect all types of PV systems, as parts of the system can operate under IE whereas other parts are at the same time clouded. These effects are especially interesting for larger PV plants and for studies on grid integration with several PV systems. The spatial aspects of IE can be modelled with a three-dimensional irradiance-interpolation-method: 3D-Solar Irradiance Modelling (3D-SIM). For its implementation a temporally and spatially high resolved measurement grid of irradiance sensors is necessary, as it generates an irradiation map from these sensors. 3D-SIM is a modification of a former method named the Cloud- Velocity-Vector (CVV) Analysis which determined the cloud movement by following the irradiation minima across the sensor plane. This paper focuses on the optimization of this method by substituting the CVV through the more accurate satellite-derived Cloud-Motion-Vector (CMV). Consequently, the computation time of the three-dimensional irradiance field is much lower. Furthermore, the method has been simplified and is now easier to automate. As a result of the 3DSIM application for a representative location in Central Europe a 3D-irradiance-grid for a whole year is accessible.