Release Notes

- DNI forecasts from IFS model are now retrieved and post-processed. Previously only GHI forecasts from IFS model were used. This update is expected to improve accuracy of D0-D2 forecasts of Global Tilted Irradiation and thus also PV Electricity Output.

- The higher resolution IFS model is now also used for D0-D2 forecasts instead of GFS model for Egypt, Oman, Central Asia, Northern Europe, and parts of Zambia and Mozambique. Updated coverage maps for IFS forecast region can be seen here.

Updates to the Prospect app:

- Source of TEMP data is now ERA5

- Registration and activation of free trial simplified

- User interface translated to Russian

- Updated design for header menu and project detail menu

- Switch to Google recaptcha v3 (no need to click "I am not a robot")

- Improved design for switching between companies

- Last selected company is remembered if you sign in using a different computer/browser

- Several bug fixes

Translation of user interface to Russian and Portuguese languages.

- For many PV modelling applications it is preferred to have solar irradiation data in 1-minute or 5-minute time step. However, long history of measured solar radiation in 1 minute time step is not easily available. Nor is it possible to receive satellite imagery with frequency of 1-minute.

- We have created a model for stochastic generation of 1-minute solar radiation data from native data resolution of 10/15/30 minutes. The stochastic generation can also be used for generating 5-minute or 10-minute data from 15/30 minute time series. The methodology is explained here: https://solargis.com/docs/methodology/1-minute-solar-data

- Calculation of 1-minute TMY and time series of PV electricity output is also supported.

- Site specific albedo values used for calculation of GTI and shaded GHI

- Surface albedo is a key parameter that determines amount of reflected irradiation falling on the front-side of tilted PV modules . Reflected irradiation also impacts Global horizontal irradiation in regions where terrain is not flat. Until now, we had been using a default albedo value of 0.12 for calculation of time series of GHI and GTI. With release of model version 2.2.0 we will be using site-specific monthly averages of albedo for calculation of reflected irradiation. Technical specification of the albedo dataset to be used can be seen here: https://solargis.com/docs/methodology/albedo

Tools for measuring distance and area by drawing points on the maps

- Nowcasting service, based on near-real time processing of satellite imagery, was extended to include region between -5 - +5 Latitude and 115 - 130 longitude.

- Updated coverage map for nowcasting service can be seen here: Solargis API User Guide

- Learn more about Solargis nowcasting service: https://solargis.com/products/forecast/overview/

- New version of economy calculator

- Economy calculator available also in compare tool

- Horizon editor

- Time series of water equivalent of fresh snow fall [unit: kg/m2] is available as a new data parameter. The data is taken from the ERA5 database and is available for full history (except last 2-3 month period).

- Data on fresh snowfall helps to understand frequency of snow events and is useful for estimation of snow losses.

- Input GOES-East satellite imagery for April 2003 was improved. Previously there were some artificially low irradiance values in some regions such as Chile. This issue has now been fixed.