Article title: Long-term patterns of European PV output using 30 years of validated hourly reanalysis and satellite data
This article looked at the validation of hourly PV simulations across Europe, using MERRA and MERRA-2 reanalysis and the Meteosat-based CM-SAF SARAH (Surface Solar Radiation Data Set) satellite dataset using 30 years of simulated data.
MERRA and MERRA-2 generally overestimate the PV output, while SARAH generally underestimates. This is expected as the satellite derived SARAH is better able to resolve irradiance-relevant weather events that are not properly modelled in MERRA. This is possibly due to the low spatial resolution of the reanalysis and therefore it does not consider the local topography. Other disadvantages include inaccurate cloud modelling and an overestimation of atmospheric transparency during clear-sky conditions (due to insufficient consideration of aerosols).
Uncorrected MERRA has similar accuracy to SARAH therefore both datasets should use some correction. Corrections include correcting a systematic bias by matching the simulations to the mean bias in modelling individual sites. Both datasets exhibit systematic bias but SARAH models the shape of the power output more accurately (see figure above).
Future research:
- Look at the possibility of using the SARAH dataset.
- Look at the renewables.ninja website.
- Potential to advance the post-processing techniques used in this paper.