I've got a situation where two parties, with opposing interests, may be arguing over the degree to which a solar system will be shaded, on an annual basis, by a not-yet-built neighboring structure. Now, there is no such thing as a standardized solar shading study (as far as I can tell), and the complexity of the situation is such that, if absolute accuracy is the determining factor, it might well devolve to who has the deeper pockets: that is, who can afford more convincing engineering. My first approach has resulted in a somewhat complicated approach to comparing often-very-different studies. While I believe it to be reasonable, I am trying to simplify the situation.
I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts about ultra-simple shading analyses that would give some reasonably reliable indication of shading. For example: percentage of system surface shaded at noon on the equinox. If one boiled the situation down to that, maybe there's less wriggle-room to game the system.
I would be particularly interested if anyone wants to mock up some situations and run the numbers with some shading software. I realize this won't be precisely "accurate": there will be differences based on whether the modules are mounted vertically or horizontally, for example, and the precise shading pattern and timing. The question is, can one develop a sufficiently simple metric that functions to compare situations without demanding a thorough performance assessment. I suppose one simplifying element is that I have no concern whatsoever, in this scenario, over actual performance, only in percent performance reduction or something.
Anyway, I welcome any help thinking about the situation.
I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts about ultra-simple shading analyses that would give some reasonably reliable indication of shading. For example: percentage of system surface shaded at noon on the equinox. If one boiled the situation down to that, maybe there's less wriggle-room to game the system.
I would be particularly interested if anyone wants to mock up some situations and run the numbers with some shading software. I realize this won't be precisely "accurate": there will be differences based on whether the modules are mounted vertically or horizontally, for example, and the precise shading pattern and timing. The question is, can one develop a sufficiently simple metric that functions to compare situations without demanding a thorough performance assessment. I suppose one simplifying element is that I have no concern whatsoever, in this scenario, over actual performance, only in percent performance reduction or something.
Anyway, I welcome any help thinking about the situation.
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