We present a fast algorithm called SolTrack to compute the position of the Sun at any moment. The implementation of a simple prescription for atmospheric refraction improves the accuracy significantly. The code is freely available online. In addition, we show sample results from a computer model that can simulate an array of tracking HCPV units, including realistic weather. The model not only allows us to compute the electrical yield of a CPV system, but also the amount of direct sunlight that passes the CPV units and reaches the ground, which is important in the built environment, e.g. in the case of greenhouses.

Topics
Computer simulation, Atmospheric optical phenomena
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2015
AIP Publishing LLC