Add `ModelChain` temperature variation example to `system-models`

[aman-coder03]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
The system-models example gallery currently has only 1 example. It is a detailed real-world case but there isn’t a example that demonstrates how to customize ModelChain for common use cases

Describe the solution you'd like
I would like to add a small Sphinx-gallery example comparing different temperature_model options in ModelChain (maybe sapm vs faiman or we can have a discussion over that) showing how that affects cell temperature and AC output

Describe alternatives you've considered
I have not considered other alternatives at this point

Additional context
I will follow the same Sphinx-gallery structure as the existing examples and keep this one small and self-contained. The idea is to complement the current OEDI example

Happy to adjust based on discussions and feedbacks.

[Rahi-padwal]

Hello @aman-coder03
I would love to work on this issue.

[aman-coder03]

I have opened this issue for further discussion as of now

[cwhanse]

This is a good suggested addition to the examples. For a system model, the emphasis should be showing how to vary models in a ModelChain calculation.

As a complement, pvlib could use an example that compares among temperature models. The scope here would just be comparing cell (or module) temperature, for the same weather input and Array. If you decide to do both, separate PRs would be best, IMO.

[aman-coder03]

thanks @cwhanse i am starting to work on this and will shortly open a PR

[aman-coder03]

@cwhanse while building the documentation locally using make html, the process seems to hang at
reading sources... [ 98%] user_guide/modeling_topics/modelchain
It stays there for quite a long time without progressing. I just wanted to check whether this is expected for a full docs build, or if there is something specific I should be doing differently when building locally.

[cwhanse]

The file that is committed is empty. The doc build process requires at least a docstring.

[kandersolar]

while building the documentation locally using make html, the process seems to hang at reading sources... [ 98%] user_guide/modeling_topics/modelchain It stays there for quite a long time without progressing. I just wanted to check whether this is expected for a full docs build, or if there is something specific I should be doing differently when building locally.

Are you using Windows? There is a long-standing issue with the docs build on windows (see #981 (comment)) that I think has to do with the use of ipython's ? function in the modelchain page silently waiting for user input. For me, hitting enter a few times gets it going again.

[aman-coder03]

@cwhanse i will push the updated commits shortly, i just wanted to check the doc build locally first
@kandersolar i am building on Windows, i will try hitting enter and let you know if it works! thanks!
Edit - hitting enter worked!!! thanks @kandersolar

[aman-coder03]

@cwhanse shall i open a separate issue for model variation example and then link #2691 with that and open a separate PR that points to this issue (model comparison example)?

[AdamRJensen]

@aman-coder03 pvlib is developed by solar energy modelers and is a difficult project for general programmers to get involved with. For example, for a gallery example to be meaningful, the contributor needs to have insight into solar energy modeling (ideally some experience with using pvlib) for the example to be meaningful.

Unfortunately, our reviewer capacity is limited and we cannot accept PRs from people without solar experience.

[aman-coder03]

Thank you @AdamRJensen for reviewing my contribution and for the clarification.
Working with pvlib has been an important learning experience for me. I have also used it in a rooftop solar feasibility project to simulate energy generation and evaluate system performance, which has increased my interest in solar modeling.
I will continue learning to build deeper expertise.
Thank you for your time and for maintaining pvlib.