8 Challenges of Solar Sites Modeling and How Software Solutions Can Help

The increasing cost of fossil fuels and the urgency to decrease carbon emissions have led to the emergence of renewable energy sources, such as solar site modeling, which has been considered one of the best alternatives to reduce global warming.

As discussed in the article by World Economic Forum, solar will likely become the most important source of energy for electricity production. However, solar site modeling presents many challenges. But there are also solutions that can help you get accurate results with minimal work.

If you’re new to solar energy modeling or looking to improve your current process, check out these 8 common challenges and how software solutions can help with each one.

1. Data Management and Exchange

One of the biggest challenges with solar sites is data management and exchange. Without a good system in place, it can be difficult to keep track of all the data that needs to be collected, processed, and analyzed.

This is where solar PV simulation software can help. By using a solar PV simulation program, you can manage all the data related to your solar site in one place. This includes everything from weather data to energy production data.

2. 3D Model Validation

Another big challenge in solar site modeling is validating the 3D model. This is because there are often discrepancies between the as-built model and the design model. Various facility management software can help by providing detailed information about the workflows of your solar site model.

Facility management is a type of software that helps organizations manage their facilities. It can include features for managing assets, tracking work orders and maintenance tasks, and creating reports. Facility management software can be used by organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large corporations.

When choosing among a list of facility management software, it's important to consider the size and complexity of your organization and the facilities you manage, such as solar site modeling. You also need to ensure that the software is compatible with your existing hardware and software infrastructure.

3. High-Performance Computing

Solar site modeling is a field that relies heavily on High-Performance Computing (HPC). This is because the calculations involved in this field can be very complex and time-consuming.

There are many different software solutions that can help organizations overcome the challenges related to HPC. One such solution is the High-Performance Computing Cluster (HPCC).

The HPCC is a scalable platform that can be used to solve complex problems quickly and efficiently. It consists of a number of nodes, each of which contains its own processor, memory, and storage.

4. Sensitivity Analysis

One overlooked challenge in solar site modelling is sensitivity analysis—determining how changes in variables will affect the outcome of the model. This is important to understand because it can help identify which variables are most important to the success of your project.

Software solutions can help by automating the process and providing tools to visualize the results. For example, the software can include a module that simulates different scenarios in minutes with a single mouse click.

5. Multi-Resolution Analysis

The design of solar power plants is a complex process that can be greatly improved through the use of software solutions. By using software that supports multi-resolution solar energy analysis, engineers can more easily account for the many variables involved in solar plant design. This approach allows for a more accurate simulation of how the plant will perform and can help identify potential solar system problems and solutions before construction begins.

6. Uncertainty Quantification

Quantifying the uncertainty associated with solar potential is a real challenge in solar site modeling. One way to address this is through the use of software solutions that can help manage and mitigate the uncertainty in solar potential predictions.

These software solutions can help improve the accuracy of solar potential predictions by incorporating factors, such as weather data and land-use information. Additionally, software solutions can help identify which areas have the highest potential for solar development and help planners optimize solar projects to maximize their return on investment.

By quantifying the uncertainty associated with solar potential, these software solutions can play a key role in helping make solar energy a more reliable and cost-effective source of renewable energy.

7. Cloud Generation Techniques

It can be difficult to predict how much energy will be generated by a solar site on a given day. To address this challenge, a recent study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows that cloud-based software solutions can be used to help with modelling solar sites.

They’re especially well-suited for this task, as they can provide real-time data and allow for easy collaboration between team members. Cloud-based software solutions also make it easier to identify potential issues and make necessary adjustments quickly and effectively.

8. Project Utilization

One of the most important things to consider when starting a new business is how you’ll utilize your resources. Solar sites are no different. You need to think about the land you have available, the amount of sunlight it receives, and the angle of the sun. All these factors will affect how much power your solar panels can generate.

Software solutions can help you model your solar site effectively and predict its potential output. This information is critical in making sure you’re making the most of your resources.

Solar Site Modeling: Overcoming The Challenges For Greater Efficiency

Solar site modeling is a complex process that can be greatly improved through the use of software solutions. By automating the process and providing a more accurate simulation, these solutions can help developers identify and address potential issues with solar sites before construction begins. This can save time and money, and help ensure that solar projects are successfully completed on schedule and within budget.