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• Data Delivery Web Service - the main service for accessing Solargis time series data. Both request and response is an XML document. The request parameters (XML elements and attributes) are formally described by XML Schema Definition documents (XSD). By using the schema, request or response can be verified programmatically. For this service, we provide two architectural styles, the REST-like endpoint, and SOAP endpoint. Look for more technical information here.  Authentication and billing is based on API key registered with the user. Please contact us to discuss details, set up trial or ask for a quotation.
• pvPlanner Web Service - this simple web service provides monthly long-term averaged data (including yearly value) of PV, solar and meteorological data with global coverage. The service is targeted aimed for prospection and pre-feasibility.  Sending By sending an XML request the user mimics the click on the Calculate button in the interactive Solargis pvPlanner application. Request and response for the service is not described in this user guide. More information can be found here.

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

In the case of the solar and PV time series, we use satellite data since available history up to the present moment plus forecasting additional 4- 5 hours ahead (in the regions where the real-time & nowcasting satellite data is available). Satellite data includes historical (archived) . The range of the satellite data includes historical / archived data, operational data, real-time data and nowcasting dataCloud Motion Vector model (CMV, also called the nowcasting). 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-analyzed in the beginning of the next month using the final versions version of required data inputs (e.g. atmospheric data parametersmostly aerosol data). Important is to note is that differences introduced with the re-analysis are typically small. Solar data in the current day is comes from the "real-time" satellite model data and will be updated when the current day is finished. Then, based on the latest satellite images, we predict cloud motion vectors (CMV) irradiation by using the CMV model in the range of next 4-5 hours ("nowcasting"). The present moment and a short period before is covered by the nowcasting model data as the very recent satellite scene is still in progress. This delay can take up to 30 minutes (depends depending on the satellite scanning frequency). Later on, after the 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 the case of locations where real-time & nowcasting data is not yet available, the NWP data is used for the course of the current day. Also, not every location on the globe is supplied by more accurate high resolution NWP data (ECMWF IFS datamodel). In such case, NOAA GFS model data is used for all forecasted values. Meteorological data (TEMP, WS, AP, RH...) is comprised of NWP (NOAA GFS) modeled comes from the NWP data.

Schema The schema below shows how the data sources are integrated on an example of into the response. The example depicts the Data Delivery Web Service response having total of 9 days of data mixing all data sources (generated at 12:00 of a given day).

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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 every day (DAY-1 is available). In the subset of these regions, the real-time /and the nowcasting data is available (within the current day DAY+0, updated every 30 minutes). Main data parameters include GHI, DNI, DIF, GTI, PVOUT.

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• violet regions: high resolution, higher reliability forecast data is available in the violet regions marked on the map. Upon request, we can start this kind of forecasting service for any other area. The source is the IFS model from ECMWF, UK. The frequency of the update is at UTC hours 00, 06, 12 and 18 (4 forecasts runs per day, every 6 hours). The forecast range is from DAY+0 up to DAY+2 (three days in a row). Original temporal resolution for the first 48 hours is 1 hour,  hours 4849 - 84 are received in 3-hourly original resolution, however, in the final response, this is interpolated into higher desired resolution.
• the rest of the map (in white color) is covered by lower resolution global forecasting data from the GFS model (NOAA, USA). The forecast range is from DAY+0 up to DAY+9 (the DAY+0 means the current day, so we can deliver 10 full days in total). The frequency of the update is once in 6 hours.

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