Shading of PV systems results in significant reduction of production and must be accounted for in an acceptable manner. A method is implied in the following building descriptors that is consistent with the NSHP Calculator. With this method, the area around the solar system is divided into 22.5° cones and the height and distance to shading objects is entered for each quadrant. Other methods may be used, including use of the building shade inputs (see building site characteristics under project data)
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Shading Azimuth |
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|---|---|
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Applicability |
All PV systems |
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Definition |
A quadrant where the height and distance of shading objects is specified |
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Units |
List: ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW |
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Input Restrictions |
As estimated from existing surrounding buildings and shading structures |
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Baseline Building |
None (PV not modeled for the baseline building) |
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Shading Object Height |
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|---|---|
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Applicability |
All PV systems |
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Definition |
The height of the building or shading object in the 22.5° cone |
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Units |
Feet (ft) |
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Input Restrictions |
As estimated from existing surrounding buildings and shading structures |
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Baseline Building |
None (PV not modeled for the baseline building) |
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Shading Object Distance |
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|---|---|
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Applicability |
All PV systems |
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Definition |
The horizontal distance from the shading object to the collectors |
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Units |
Feet (ft) |
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Input Restrictions |
As estimated from existing surrounding buildings and shading structures |
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Baseline Building |
None (PV not modeled for the baseline building) |