solarEbike
100 W
UPDATE: This post is now obsolete. I've created a new version of this solarEbike Trip Planner which automatically imports weather data for any city in the world. The new version is available here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Za-3a4wOQHfdXC8ih5EQkNvv1A90bd7S-pbzUT162c4/edit#gid=0
If you want Wh for a city other than Oakland, California, follow these instructions closely. It looks like a lot of steps but it's mostly just tedious. There's some repetition and it's relatively straightforward.
You can save multiple scenarios by making copies of your spreadsheet. You don't need to repeat the import steps above unless you want to add a new city.
solarEbike said:I've pre-loaded the spreadsheet with weather data for Oakland, California so you will need to import data for your own city. I will add instructions for doing this in a follow-up post.
If you want Wh for a city other than Oakland, California, follow these instructions closely. It looks like a lot of steps but it's mostly just tedious. There's some repetition and it's relatively straightforward.
- Make a copy of the spreadsheet: File > Make a copy...
- Open to https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/pvwatts.php in a separate browser tab.
- Enter a location in the search box. A city name is usually sufficient but be aware that the first Google Maps result will be automatically selected so you will want to specify "Vancouver, Washington" or "Vancouver, BC" and not just "Vancouver".
- The SOLAR RESOURCE DATA screen usually has a map to help you confirm that the correct location was selected but the map is currently disabled. If the location looks right, select Go to system info to continue.
- DC System Size (kW): 4 (do not change this, you will specify your panel size in the spreadsheet later)
- Module Type: Premium (if using SunPower cells)
- Array Type: Fixed (open rack)
- System Losses (%): 0 (we will specify these later in our spreadsheet)
- Tilt (deg): 0
- Azimuth (deg): 180
- Click Go to PVWatts results
- On the RESULTS page, scroll down to Download Results: Hourly and download the hourly CSV file
- Go to your spreadsheet and select the 0° fixed tilt tab at the bottom.
- Select File > Import... > Upload and upload the CSV file you just downloaded from PVWatts
- You will be asked for the Import location, choose Replace current sheet. This is the 4th option. Then, click Import data.
- Go back to your PVWatts browser tab and click Go to system info to go back one screen. If you wait too long, the site may time out and ask you to select your location again. Don't panic. This is normal.
- On the SYSTEM INFO screen, change Array Type: 1-Axis Tracking, all other values should be the same as for steps 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 above.
- Click Go to PVWatts results
- On the RESULTS page, scroll down to Download Results: Hourly and download the hourly CSV file
- Go to your spreadsheet and select the 1-axis NS tab at the bottom.
- Import the second CSV file the same way as steps 14 & 15 above. Do not mix up the CSV files!
- Go back to your PVWatts browser tab and click Go to system info to go back one screen.
- On the SYSTEM INFO screen, change Azimuth (deg): 90, all other values should be the same as the last CSV file.
- On the RESULTS page, scroll down to Download Results: Hourly and download the hourly CSV file
- Go to your spreadsheet and select the 1-axis EW tab at the bottom.
- Import the third CSV file the same way as steps 14 & 15 above.
- Go back to your PVWatts browser tab and click Go to system info to go back one screen.
- On the SYSTEM INFO screen, change Array Type: 2-Axis Tracking, all other values should be the same as the last CSV file. Tilt and azimuth will be disregarded for 2-axis tracking.
- Go to your spreadsheet and select the 2-axis tab at the bottom.
- Import the fourth (and final!) CSV file the same way as steps 14 & 15 above.
- Go back to the Summary tab and check for any errors or broken formulas. You should see your new city name in row 17 repeated 4 times. If everything looks ok, your Outputs row should now be showing data for your new location.
You can save multiple scenarios by making copies of your spreadsheet. You don't need to repeat the import steps above unless you want to add a new city.