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A numerical simulation study of microclimate in PV power plant using coupled WRF-PVCM

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  • Li, Biao
  • Lei, Chen
  • Zhang, Wenpu
  • Xu, Jingru
  • Shuai, Yong

Abstract

The construction of large-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants will have a significant impact on the local microclimate. This paper improves the PVCM (PVCM) by referencing ray-tracing techniques, the row-organized canopy (ROC) model, and the homogeneous canopy model (HCM), and uses a one-way coupled WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting model)- PVCM to independently simulate the local microclimate of the Red Rock PV power station. The paper validates the accuracy of the WRF and PVCM using measured reference data, with the latter showing a significant reduction in error compared to the original model. With WRF output data as a reference, the paper investigates the local microclimate effects of the PV power station. The results show that the construction of the PV power station will lead to an increase in local net radiation by 140 W m−2, a rise in 2 m temperature by 7 K, and a decrease in ground temperature by 4.5 K. Additionally, in the study of the microclimate impact of PV mount height, this paper finds that a 1 m increase in height leads to a 1 K rise in 2 m temperature, a 3.5 K decrease in ground temperature, and a 0.36 % increase in PV module efficiency.

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  • Li, Biao & Lei, Chen & Zhang, Wenpu & Xu, Jingru & Shuai, Yong, 2025. "A numerical simulation study of microclimate in PV power plant using coupled WRF-PVCM," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:317:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225001719
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.134529
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