Student research opportunities

Inferring Solar Radiation Measurements from Photovoltaic Array Power Output

Project Code: CECS_954

This project is available at the following levels:
Engn4200, Engn R&D, Honours
Please note that this project is only for undergraduate students.

Keywords:

Solar, Radiation, Energy, Photovoltaics

Supervisor:

Mr Nicholas Engerer

Outline:

Using the Bureau of Meteorology radiation observation network, the selected student will explore relationships between standard radiation observations and photovoltaic array power output. The purpose of this project will be to develop a method for estimating direct normal irradiance from PV power output time series by taking data from radiation and PV sites that are located near one another.

Goals of this project

- Analyse relationship between standard radiation measurements and PV power output
- Develop a model that can estimate hourly direct normal irradiance from hourly PV power output
- Develop a model that can estimate sub-hourly direct normal irradiance from sub-hourly PV power output

Requirements/Prerequisites

Knowledge of R and/or Matlab coding languages
Basic experience writing computer code
Knowledge of solar radiation/energy is preferred but not required

Student Gain

Student will gain invaluable experience with solar energy and solar radiation data analysis - a skill whose demand is growing globally. The student will be well-suited to enter professional work in solar energy related areas.