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Overview of Solargis API

The purpose of the Solargis API is to provide automated access to Solargis data and services for computers over the web. API is a "user interface" for developers. Developers can automate getting Solargis products by using standard internet protocols (HTTP,  FTP) and integrate Solargis data into processing chain (for evaluation. monitoring, forecasting, validation, calibration, etc.). 

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Additionally, we provide FTP data delivery service where the request (CSV file) is stored in user's FTP directory. The service is then scheduled to deliver CSV response files regularly. Request processing is asynchronous - client puts the CSV request, server processes the request according to schedule (e.g., 4x per day, every hour), client then checks for the response files. The CSV request allows for multiple locations in one file. For pricing and setting up trial FTP user account, please contact us.

Description of data available through

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the Solargis API

In case of solar and PV time series we use satellite data since available history up to present moment plus additional 4-5 hours ahead (in the regions where the real time & nowcasting satellite data is available). Satellite data includes historical (archived) data, operational data, real-time and nowcasting data. Historical data ranges up to the last completed calendar month and can be considered as "definitive". Data in the current calendar month up to DAY-1 is so called "operational", and will be re-analysed in the next month using final versions of required data inputs (e.g. atmospheric data parameters). Important to note is that differences introduced with the re-analysis is typically small. Solar data in the current day is from the "real-time" satellite model and will be updated when day is finished. Then, based on latest satellite images we predict cloud motion vectors (CMV) in the range of next 4-5 hours ("nowcasting"). The present moment and short period before is covered by the nowcasting model data as the recent satellite scene is still in progress. This delay can take up to 30 minutes (depends on the satellite scanning frequency). Later on, after nowcasting time range, we use post-processed outputs from Numerical Weather Prediction models (NWP). Satellite-based data is seamlessly integrated with NWP forecasting data within one response. In case of locations where real-time & nowcasting data is not available, NWP data is used for the course of the current day. Also, not every location on the globe is supplied by more accurate ECMWF IFS data. In such case NOAA GFS data is used for all forecasted values. Meteorological data (TEMP, WS, AP, RH...) is comprised of NWP (NOAA GFS) modeled data.

Schema below shows how the data sources are integrated on an example of the the WS response having 9 days of data (generated at 12:00 of a given day).

Satellite based PV and solar data - from the history up to current day

Current spatial coverage of satellite data available through the API. Click image to enlarge:

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Orange regions on the map are accessible via the API and data is updated everyday (DAY-1 is available). In the subset of these regions, the real-time/nowcasting data is available (within the current day DAY+0, updated every 30 minute). Main data parameters include GHI, DNI, DIF, GTI, PVOUT.

The following table will help users to schedule time for sending requests to DataDelivery WS:

Each daily update of the data re-calculates values for two days backwards (DAY-1 and DAY-2). Monthly update (on the 3rd day of each calendar month) re-calculates the whole previous month as soon as it's completed. The purpose of these updates is described in this article. We gradually expand spatial coverage of satellite data accessible via API. To access request operational and historical data in the grey areas on the map, please use Solargis climData online shop.

Note: the data from orange zones in the map is also available by using interactive application pvSpot (daily operational data) and is accessible within minutes after purchase via climData online shop (as historical multi-year archived data).

Meteorological data from numerical weather models - from the history up to current day

Main data parameters include air temperature (TEMP), wind speed (WS), wind direction (WD), relative humidity (RH). Meteorological data comes from post-processed numerical weather models and is available globally. The DAY-1 and DAY-2 values are taken from NWP models - NOAA GFS (resp. ECMWF IFS) data sources (they are forecasted values). The preliminary meteorological data from GFS model is later updated with data from the NOAA CFS v2 data source (re-analysed archive data). Meteorological data for period DAY-3 and older can be considered as definitive.

PV, solar and meteorological data from Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models - from the current day

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onwards

Solargis forecast is based on post-processing of outputs from NWP models. The forecast time series include the following data parameters:

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Parameter name in FTP data delivery	Required	Value type	Value unit	Default value	Value Range	Description	WS request equivalent (XPath)
lat	Yes	float	degree		-90, 90	Latitude	/dataDeliveryRequest/site/@lat
lng	Yes	float	degree		-180, 180	Longitude	/dataDeliveryRequest/site/@lat
alt	Yes	float	meters		-500, 8848	Altitude relative to sea level	/dataDeliveryRequest/site/terrain/@elevation
groundAlbedo	No	float	-	0.122	0, 1	Estimated annual value of reflection coefficient expressing amount of ground-reflected radiation, value ranges from zero (no reflection, black surface) to 1 (perfect reflection)
geometry	No	string	-	FixedOneAngle	FixedOneAngle OneAxisVertical OneAxisInclined OneAxisHorizontalNS TwoAxisAstronomical	Type of surface absorbing solar energy. It can be fixed or sun-tracking. It is assumed this typically is a PV module mounted on some construction. FixedOneAngle OneAxisVertical OneAxisInclined OneAxisHorizontalNS TwoAxisAstronomical fixed surface described by azimuth and tilt self-shading PV simulation possible single vertical axis tracking tracks sun azimuth tilted surface rotation limits possible back-tracking possible relative column spacing self-shading PV simulation not implemented single inclined axis tracking tracks sun azimuth tilted surface rotation limits possible back-tracking possible relative column spacing self-shading PV simulation possible single horizontal axis tracking tracks sun azimuth rotation limits possible back-tracking possible relative column spacing self-shading PV simulation possible two axis tracking tracks sun elevation and azimuth rotation limits possible for vertical axis tilt limits possible for horizontal axis back-tracking possible relative column spacing self-shading PV simulation not implemented	/dataDeliveryRequest/site/geometry/@type
tilt	No	float	degree	0	0, 90		/dataDeliveryRequest/site/geometry/@tilt or /dataDeliveryRequest/site/geometry/@axisTilt in case of OneAxisInclined tracker
azimuth	No	float	degree	0, resp. 180	0, 360	True north-based azimuth (0=North, 90=East, 180=South, etc.). When this parameter is missing, defaults are following: if "lat" is less than 0 (southern hemisphere), azimuth defaults to 0, otherwise azimuth is 180 (northern hemisphere).	/dataDeliveryRequest/site/geometry/@azimuth

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<?xml version="1.0"?>
<dataDeliveryResponse xmlns="http://geomodel.eu/schema/ws/data" xmlns:ns2="http://geomodel.eu/schema/common/geo">
  <site id="demo" lat="48.61259" lng="20.827079">
    <metadata>#15 MINUTE VALUES OF SOLAR RADIATION AND METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND PV OUTPUT
#
#Issued: 2017-09-03 12:40
#
#Latitude: 48.612590
#Longitude: 20.827079
#Elevation: 7.0 m a.s.l.
#http://solargis.info/imaps/#tl=Google:satellite&amp;loc=48.612590,20.827079&amp;z=14 
#
#
#Output from the climate database Solargis v2.1.13
#
#Solar radiation data
#Description: data calculated from Meteosat MSG satellite data ((c) 2017 EUMETSAT) and from atmospheric data ((c) 2017 ECMWF and NOAA) by Solargis method 
#Summarization type: instantaneous
#Summarization period: 28/04/2014 - 28/04/2014
#Spatial resolution: 250 m
#
#Meteorological data
#Description: spatially disaggregated from CFSR, CFSv2 and GFS ((c) 2017 NOAA) by Solargis method 
#Summarization type: interpolated to 15 min
#Summarization period: 28/04/2014 - 28/04/2014
#Spatial resolution: temperature 1 km, other meteorological parameters 33 km to 55 km
#
#Service provider: Solargis s.r.o., M. Marecka 3, Bratislava, Slovakia
#Company ID: 45 354 766, VAT Number: SK2022962766
#Registration: Business register, District Court Bratislava I, Section Sro, File 62765/B
#http://solargis.com, contact@solargis.com
#
#Disclaimer:
#Considering the nature of climate fluctuations, interannual and long-term changes, as well as the uncertainty of measurements and calculations, Solargis s.r.o. cannot take full guarantee of the accuracy of estimates. The maximum possible has been done for the assessment of climate conditions based on the best available data, software and knowledge. Solargis s.r.o. shall not be liable for any direct, incidental, consequential, indirect or punitive damages arising or alleged to have arisen out of use of the provided data. Solargis is a trade mark of Solargis s.r.o.
#
#Copyright (c) 2017 Solargis s.r.o.
#
#
#Columns:
#Date - Date of measurement, format DD.MM.YYYY
#Time - Time of measurement, time reference UTC+2, time step 15 min, time format HH:MM
#GHI - Global horizontal irradiance [W/m2], no data value -9
#GTI - Global tilted irradiance [W/m2] (fixed inclination: 25 deg. azimuth: 180 deg.), no data value -9
#TEMP - Air temperature at 2 m [deg. C]
#WS - Wind speed at 10 m [m/s]
#WD - Wind direction [deg.]
#AP - Atmospheric pressure [hPa]
#RH - Relative humidity [%]
#PVOUT - PV output [kW]
#
#Data:
Date;Time;GHI;GTI;TEMP;WS;WD;AP;RH;PVOUT</metadata>
    <columns>GHI GTI TEMP WS WD AP RH PVOUT</columns>
  ....
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T05:11:00.000+02:00" values="0.0 0.0 10.2 1.9 10.0 1005.4 81.2 0.0"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T05:26:00.000+02:00" values="5.0 5.0 10.4 1.9 10.0 1005.4 80.3 0.0"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T05:41:00.000+02:00" values="12.0 11.0 10.6 1.9 10.0 1005.3 79.5 2.85"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T05:56:00.000+02:00" values="25.0 25.0 10.9 2.2 10.0 1005.3 78.7 11.936"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T06:11:00.000+02:00" values="38.0 37.0 11.2 2.2 10.0 1005.2 77.9 21.25"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T06:26:00.000+02:00" values="102.0 70.0 11.9 2.2 10.0 1005.1 76.5 38.582"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T06:41:00.000+02:00" values="144.0 112.0 12.7 2.2 10.0 1005.0 75.0 68.925"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T06:56:00.000+02:00" values="183.0 156.0 13.4 2.1 9.0 1004.9 73.5 106.197"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T07:11:00.000+02:00" values="223.0 202.0 14.2 2.1 9.0 1004.8 72.1 150.239"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T07:26:00.000+02:00" values="265.0 252.0 14.8 2.1 9.0 1004.7 71.2 197.703"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T07:41:00.000+02:00" values="308.0 304.0 15.3 2.1 9.0 1004.7 70.3 248.14"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T07:56:00.000+02:00" values="354.0 359.0 15.8 1.7 8.0 1004.6 69.4 301.096"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T08:11:00.000+02:00" values="403.0 420.0 16.4 1.7 8.0 1004.6 68.4 357.374"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T08:26:00.000+02:00" values="450.0 479.0 16.9 1.7 8.0 1004.7 66.0 411.019"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T08:41:00.000+02:00" values="497.0 544.0 17.5 1.7 8.0 1004.8 63.5 468.12"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T08:56:00.000+02:00" values="539.0 599.0 18.0 1.8 26.0 1004.8 61.0 515.073"/>
  ...
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T23:41:00.000+02:00" values="0.0 0.0 14.1 2.9 353.0 1004.8 93.3 0.0"/>
    <row dateTime="2014-04-28T23:56:00.000+02:00" values="0.0 0.0 14.0 2.8 354.0 1004.8 93.3 0.0"/>
  </site>
</dataDeliveryResponse>

FTP data delivery response

Responses from this service are standard Solargis CSV format files with header, metadata and data sections. Files are suitable for automated processing. Examples of CSV response files: 

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