Vaisala Completes World's Largest Solar Dataset Validation Study

Helsinki, Finland (ots) -

Independent comparison of satellite and ground-based measurements
ensures accuracy and consistency of solar resource data for
developers worldwide

Vaisala, a global leader in environmental and industrial
measurement, has released the results of the world's largest solar
dataset validation study undertaken to date. This extensive
verification process, plays a critical role in ensuring that solar
resource data stays accurate and consistent across the globe. In
turn, it will support the efforts of international solar developers
as the industry expands into important emerging markets within Asia,
Africa and Latin America.

The most recent validation paper, released today, compares
observational data from nearly 200 ground stations across six
continents with satellite derived irradiance records from five
different versions of Vaisala's proprietary global solar dataset. The
results of the study indicate that across the globe Vaisala's values
for global horizontal irradiance (or GHI, the key variable for PV
projects) have a standard deviation of bias error, more commonly
referred to as the uncertainty, of 4.4-4.9% depending on the version
of the dataset.

To conduct a fair and unbiased study, Vaisala reserves ground
station data exclusively for validation purposes and never uses data
from these stations to calibrate or enhance the accuracy of its solar
resource information. This provides users of the dataset an accurate
estimate of how the data will perform at their project locations.

Keeping satellite resource information up-to-date

Due to sparse direct observation networks and the high uncertainty
associated with publicly available solar resource information,
satellite processing methodologies, which generate long-term, hourly
records of solar resources specific to a project location, have
become the standard in pre-construction energy assessment practices
for utility-scale development.

Given the importance of this data in bringing projects to
fruition, Vaisala actively maintains and updates multiple versions of
its dataset to give solar project developers and financiers greater
confidence and a more thorough understanding of local resource
variability across the globe.

Accounting for variations in local conditions

"Vaisala has been working actively within the energy industry
since 2009 to quantify and reduce solar resource uncertainty
worldwide," said Gwendalyn Bender, Head of Solar Services at Vaisala.
"Over the years, we have seen how significantly local factors, such
as pollution, dust, or seasonal variation, can influence the accuracy
of solar resource information - and thus a project's future solar
power generation. In India, for instance, aerosol levels have changed
dramatically over the past five years."

"These regional differences are often better captured by using a
different aerosol or turbidity input or by employing a different
irradiance model. By providing multiple, validated datasets that are
processed consistently across the globe, our clients can now compare
the results to find the solar data source that best fits local
conditions."

Bender further commented, "Understanding the reliability of
resource data through validation is particularly imperative as solar
development grows within emerging markets. For example, no other
solar data provider has validated the accuracy of its resource
information against actual ground observations within the important
and thriving Mexican solar market."

Choosing the most representative dataset

All five of Vaisala's datasets are available online through its
Solar Time Series Tools allowing developers and independent engineers
to easily compare different datasets, understand the uncertainty
associated with solar resource at a project location and quickly
download the most representative solar resource time series
information.

Click here to view and download Vaisala's global solar dataset
validation paper or meet with Vaisala's team at Intersolar Europe, 30
May-2 June in Munich, Germany at Stand 573, Hall B. At the conference
we will also be sharing information from our 2016 Solar Performance
study and maps, which show an up to 5 percent decrease in performance
across many regions of Europe.

Vaisala supports the entire renewable energy project lifecycle and
is an expert in weather measurement, energy assessment, power
forecasting, and asset management. For more information on the range
of solar services offered by Vaisala, please visit
http://www.vaisala.com/solar.

Vaisala Energy

Weather provides the fuel for renewable energy projects and is one of
the largest variables impacting production. Vaisala uses more than 80
years of weather expertise to help the global renewable energy
industry develop and operate wind and solar projects better, faster
and more efficiently. Our measurement, assessment, forecasting and
asset management products and services leverage proven science and
advanced technology to mitigate the impact of weather risks on energy
generation and support profitable decision-making across the entire
project lifecyle, from greenfield prospecting and due diligence
through operational forecasting and plant optimization.
www.vaisala.com/energy
http://twitter.com/VaisalaEnergy
http://linkedin.com/company/vaisala-energy

About Vaisala

Vaisala is a global leader in environmental and industrial
measurement. Building on 80 years of experience, Vaisala contributes
to a better quality of life by providing a comprehensive range of
innovative observation and measurement products and services for
chosen weather-related and industrial markets. Headquartered in
Finland, Vaisala employs approximately 1600 professionals worldwide
and is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki stock exchange.
www.vaisala.com
www.twitter.com/VaisalaGroup

For further information, please contact:
Francesca Davidson
Energy Communications Expert, Vaisala
Tel +1 206 708 8544
francesca.davidson[at]vaisala.com

Original-Content von: Vaisala, übermittelt durch news aktuell