Release Notes

Solar data and PV OUT for North America will be extended up to 65˚N. In the northeastern part data is available from 2018 and in the northwestern part data is available from 2019.

For land areas, higher resolution data from ERA5-Land is implemented. Precipitation (PREC) and snow (SNOWD) datasets will be even more accurate.

• We have changed the CSV file header to simplify the metadata.

New features and improvements

• Automatic quality control
  • Consistency test extended with GTI tracker.
  • A new method to detect linear interpolation of measured data.
  • Improvement of consecutive static value test in Meteo QC.
  • Added “mbar“ system unit for the AP parameter type.
  • Cloudless identification improved for methods in radiation QC.
• PDF report
  • Added new instrument class “No ISO Class”.
  • Added Glossary.
  • Legal information updated.
  • Removed the 'Time reference' row from the Quality control summary table, due to inconsistent behavior.
• Time series
  • Added 15 min and 30 min aggregation.
  • Compare more: New option to align time stamps of measured and model datasets.
• Metadata, importer, calculator
  • Not supported characters in column names and dataset names are replaced with '_'.
    • For more information please visit Name restrictions and limitations for special characters.
  • Location coordinates are rounded to 6 decimal places.
• Calculator
  • New functions added
    • sun_azimuth()
    • relative_difference()
    • calculate_GHI(), calculate_DNI() and calculate_DIF()
    • mod() to calculate modulo
    • For more information please visit Calculator.
• Importer
  • Applied time shifts during import are logged in the Time Shift log and the Change logs in a dataset.
• Metadata editor
  • Fix column names button helps rename all column names and replace not supported special characters with '_'.
• Small improvements
  • New instruments were added to the list of instruments.
  • Model and TMY datasets do not have test groups and they cannot be opened in radiation QC.
  • Usability improvements in the Maintenance log dialog.
  • Clone dataset added into the main menu under tools.
  • Consistency plot updated in Radiation QC for better readability.

Updated datasets cannot be used in the older Solargis Analyst version

• Enhanced dataset metadata
  • Added backtracking for vertical 1-axis tracker in GTI configuration (same for 1-axis horizontal and vertical trackers).
• We updated how metadata is stored in a dataset and a DB. An older dataset is automatically updated to a new format while it is opening for the first time. Opening an updated dataset to a newer Solargis Analyst version in an older Solargis Analyst version might result in errors or unexpected behavior.

Known issues

• Timeout error
  • When Solargis Analyst is open for a long time, it is possible to get a timeout error while opening a screen or loading data. To fix it, refresh datasets on the main screen. This will be improved in future releases.

We have launched a new Syngena 1-minute generator, which provides improved variability characteristics, namely 1-min ramps with higher amplitude and frequency, compared to the previous version of the synthetic generator. This new model significantly enhances variability and delivers more realistic transitions between 1-minute values. The amplitudes, frequency, and extremes closely resemble ground measurements.

• We have integrated SDWE from ERA5Land, utilizing ERA5 data in areas where the ERA5Land data is not available.
• A new algorithm to fill residual gaps, such as small islands, coastlines, and lakes, using data from nearby valid pixels was introduced.

• We have extended data availability up to 65N latitude for 180W-40W longitudes (part of Alaska, Canada, Greenland), with data for the year 2018+ (GOES-R) and 2019+ (GOES-W).
• We have recalculated data in the region 55N-60N to ensure a smooth transition, with the full history from 1999+ still available as before.
• We have fixed small AOD issues in some GOES-W segments for the years 2015 and 2018.

• We have noted that Sun reflection from the MBR power plant in UAE (located at 24.745537, 55.401016) was recorded by satellites, which caused a drop in values within the MSG model during May and September. The model has been updated to fix such records, improving data accuracy and reliability.

• Nowcast history is now available for 2021 and beyond for all regions.
• We have fixed issues with the DIF for extreme conditions at very high altitudes.
• Improved calculation of uncertainty at date transitions (in UTC+0), where discontinuities were identified.

• We have integrated the sun position (PSA algorithm with new parametrization) into the data delivery processing.
• We have fixed instability issues  of GHI and DNI that were caused by extreme aerosols in satellite model.
• We have included PM2.5 and PM10 data for the MERRA2 period (before 2003) in manual data delivery templates.