This tutorial provides a guide to simulate an agrivoltaic system with PASE.
[[_TOC_]]
# Modules
The PASE software is coded in object-oriented Python. The engine running the computations is made of modules, located in the MODULES/ directory.
Those modules are imported at the start of the simulation script.
# Inputs
As a user, you can easily run PASE using the `example.py` script "as is" and only adapting the parameters of the simulation.
These parameters are set in YAML configuration files contained in the INPUTS/ directory's subdirectories.
Each parameter in these files includes detailed information such as:
* Value Type: Specifies the type of input required (e.g., integer, string, etc.).
* Limits: Provides acceptable ranges for the parameter values.
* Unit: Indicates the unit of measurement.
* Definition: Brief explanation of the parameter to clarify its purpose.
To update a parameter, change only the value following the line labeled **"Value:"**.
This helps ensure consistent formatting and preserves the contextual information about each parameter.
The parameters are located in several subdirectories according to their purpose:
- AV_CENTRAL/ : set parameters of the agrivoltaics plant (number of panels, azimuth of the central, etc.)
- CROPS/ : parameter files for the crop models (SIMPLE, STICS, Gras-Sim)
- HARDWARE/ : Configure key properties of a PV panel for simulation, including its dimensions, peak power output, and whether it is bifacial. It also specifies if the panel has thickness and includes a 3D model file. These settings define the panel’s physical and operational characteristics in the simulation environment.
- SCENARIOS/ : define the parameters of the simulation scenario, such as location, latitude and longitude, altitude, simulation options, start and end year of the simulation, etc.
- WEATHER_FILES/ : the simulation can run on data fetched from an online database or on data files located in this subdirectory.
# Running a simulation
Once the parameters are set, the simulation can start. The program is split in several blocks :
- Load inputs: load contents of the input parameter files
- Pre-processing: instantiate the simulation configuration, compute light interception by elements of the scene
- Processing: compute PV and crop production
Note: when running the simulation, depending on your development environment, you may have to close the opened figures to proceed through the script.
