Validation of Photovoltaic Spectral Effects Derived From Satellite-Based Solar Irradiance Products

The Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM-SAF) Spectral Resolved Irradiance (SRI) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory Solar Radiation Database Demand (NSRDB-S) satellite-based spectral irradiance products are tested here against benchmark data models at seven ground stations: one in Spain for CM-SAF SRI six North America NSRDB-S. Benchmarks include WISER spectroradiometers, spectra modeled from SolarSIM-G measurements, the First model of mismatch factor (SMM), SMARTS radiative code with two alternate input sources: AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) Modern-Era Retrospective analysis Research Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) reanalysis. satellite terms their ability to estimate photovoltaic (PV) effects PV module technologies. Spectra also compared directly. generally outperforms “no effects” benchmarks, except cadmium telluride modules. For NSRDB-S, predictions long-term derate factors show less skill than instantaneous SMMs. comparisons reveal systematic differences between NSRDB-S spectra, likely due treatment aerosols. Meanwhile, mean AERONET MERRA-2 inputs good agreement, showing promise use as clear-sky models.