Solar Resource Assessment (SRA) at LuciSun provides an independent and technically robust characterisation of the solar resource available at a photovoltaic project site.
Its objective is to establish a representative and reliable reference for system design, energy yield estimation, and long-term performance expectations, with a particular focus on data quality, consistency, and uncertainty rather than on nominal averages alone.
The assessment identifies discrepancies, limitations, and sources of uncertainty in irradiance data that may affect project performance and bankability, and provides a clear and traceable basis for subsequent energy yield and performance analyses
The assessment is based on the critical analysis and combination of multiple data sources, typically including ground measurements, satellite models, and meteorological databases. These sources are systematically compared to identify discrepancies, biases, and limitations and to define a consolidated solar resource baseline tailored to the project location. This consolidated resource is examined within a long-term climatic context, including the influence of inter-annual variability and potential long-term trends, ensuring that the project relies on a stable, representative, and forward-looking understanding of the solar resource. Key elements of the Solar Resource Assessment typically include:
In addition to technical analysis, LuciSun supports project stakeholders in determining which solar resource data, or combination of data sources, is most appropriate for a given project. This choice is guided by factors such as project location, available datasets, project size, budget constraints, and the level of accuracy required. The objective is to identify a balanced and technically justified trade-off between the effort allocated to Solar Resource Assessment and the overall needs of the project, ensuring that the level of analysis remains proportionate while meeting bankability and decision-making requirements.
When ground measurements are available, particular attention is given to data quality and traceability. Quality control procedures are applied to identify anomalies, sensor issues, and non-physical values, ensuring that measured data can be used as a reliable reference. Many of these procedures correspond to methodologies that have been incorporated into EKO Q, a quality control platform developed by LuciSun and used by EKO Instruments for the evaluation of pyranometer measurement performance. This reflects the maturity and robustness of the quality control approaches applied in Solar Resource Assessment activities.
The outcome of the Solar Resource Assessment is a location-specific and technically justified solar resource dataset, accompanied by a clear understanding of its representativity and uncertainty. This dataset provides the technical basis for PV Energy Yield Assessment and long-term performance analysis, while remaining independent from system modelling assumptions.
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