Minimum Insolation Parameter Change

[josh33]

I've devised a model that relies on the INSOL_CONSEC_xx_MIN values to best determine how we should specify our panel and batteries for off grid solar deployments.

Previously this has been returned in the units of kW-hr/m^2/day however I've noticed two changes recently in the API data -

INSOL_CONSEC_xx_MIN is returning my previous values for INSOL_CONSEC_xx_MIN_PCT
and
INSOL_CONSEC_xx_MIN_PCT is no longer callable from the API.

I don't care much for the percentage, unless I can also get the average insolation which doesn't appear to be available.

Thank you,

[ASDC - David W.]

Hi josh33,

A subject matter expert has been contacted relating to your question with the POWER API INSOL_CONSEC_xx_MIN parameter.

Thank you,

David W.
NASA Langley ASDC DAAC Lifecycle

[ASDC - c_mikovitz]

Hi josh33,

The parameter name has changed; MIN_AVAIL_INSOL_CONSEC_XX gives units of kW-hr/m^2/day while INSOL_CONSEC_XX_MIN gives the percentage. We have removed INSOL_CONSEC_XX_MIN_PCT from the API.

Hopefully this will get your model back on track.

Thanks,
Colleen

[josh33]

ASDC - c_mikovitz wrote:
> Hi josh33,
>
> The parameter name has changed; MIN_AVAIL_INSOL_CONSEC_XX gives units of
> kW-hr/m^2/day while INSOL_CONSEC_XX_MIN gives the percentage. We have
> removed INSOL_CONSEC_XX_MIN_PCT from the API.
>
> Hopefully this will get your model back on track.
>
> Thanks,
> Colleen


Hey Colleen, thank you for getting back to me.

This doesn't appear to be right either. I made another call and the values don't quite look right either.

Looking at "parameters.MIN_AVAIL_INSOL_CONSEC_01.longname", it says this is the "Surplus Insolation Over A Consecutive 1-day Period".

Thank you for your help with this.

[ASDC - c_mikovitz]

Hi josh33,

The dictionary value for longname is incorrect, it should read "Minimum Available Insolation is the climatological minimum rolling sum over the n-day period in the given month."

We revised the equations that give the values for the parameters.

At this point it might help if you can give us an example of what you are expecting vs. what you are getting now.

Colleen

[josh33]

ASDC - c_mikovitz wrote:
> Hi josh33,
>
> The dictionary value for longname is incorrect, it should read
> "Minimum Available Insolation is the climatological minimum rolling
> sum over the n-day period in the given month."
>
> We revised the equations that give the values for the parameters.
>
> At this point it might help if you can give us an example of what you are
> expecting vs. what you are getting now.
>
> Colleen

Hey Colleen, it looks like the API is also returning the Surplus values instead of the Minimum.

When I look in the Parameter Dictionary it says the the Surplus would be INSOL_CONSEC_xx . https://power.larc.nasa.gov/#resources

When I call for just the Surplus value INSOL_CONSEC_xx, it returns the parameter MIN_AVAIL_INSOL_CONSEC_xx.

https://power.larc.nasa.gov/api/temporal/climatology/point?start=1990&end=2019&latitude=43.6532&longitude=-79.3832&community=re&parameters=INSOL_CONSEC_03&format=json&header=true

Again thank you for the help!

[hweet]

josh33 wrote:
> I've devised a model that relies on the INSOL_CONSEC_xx_MIN values to best
> determine how we should specify our panel and batteries for off grid solar
> deployments.
>
> Previously this has been returned in the units of kW-hr/m^2/day however
> I've noticed two changes recently in the API data -
>
> INSOL_CONSEC_xx_MIN is returning my previous values for
> INSOL_CONSEC_xx_MIN_PCT
> and
> INSOL_CONSEC_xx_MIN_PCT is no longer callable from the API.
>
> I don't care much for the percentage, unless I can also get the average
> insolation which doesn't appear to be available.
>
> Thank you,
Recent API changes omit the average insolation data crucial for your off-grid solar model. While INSOL_CONSEC_xx_MIN percentages are provided, they lack context without average insolation. To optimize panel and battery specifications, insist on restoring average insolation data, vital for accurate energy production projections. If are you get more information then visit this https://winchinsider.com/best-winch-battery/

[ASDC - c_mikovitz]

This API call will give the daily average insolation per month, https://power.larc.nasa.gov/api/temporal/climatology/point?start=1990&end=2019&latitude=43.6532&longitude=-79.3832&community=re&parameters=ALLSKY_SFC_SW_DWN&format=json&header=true .

We have some errors in the parameter mapping that we are sorting out. We revised all of our battery sizing equations per user feedback, but need to edit definitions and how they are returned in the API. Unfortunately, surplus insolation is not currently served in the API. We are working on the next version of data and hope to include it then, but we do not have a release date for that data yet. We are sorry for the confusion and inconvenience.

[ASDC - c_mikovitz]

Hi josh33,

We worked on the API and associated metadata yesterday. Surplus is now available; units for others should be correct now. Give this a try to see if it fits your needs better:
https://power.larc.nasa.gov/api/temporal/climatology/point?start=2001&end=2020&latitude=43.6532&longitude=-79.3832&community=re&parameters=INSOL_CONSEC_03_MIN,MIN_AVAIL_INSOL_CONSEC_03,SURPLUS_INSOL_CONSEC_03,SOLAR_DEFICITS_CONSEC_03,ALLSKY_SFC_SW_DWN&format=json&header=true

Note that other than ALLSKY_SFC_SW_DWN, the parameters are pre-computed for a 2001-2020 climatology.

Thanks,
Colleen

[josh33]

Colleen,

Thanks for investigating this, MIN_AVAIL_INSOL_CONSEC_03 seems to be returning exactly what I was expecting for my model. I'll have to re-run this for a few more regions, but I trust it's the correct data this time.

Thank you and the team for the help.