Dynamic Snow Loss Model

[kylefmacdonald]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe. Snow loss modelling is difficult and currently the only model available on pvlib at an hourly timestep is the Marion model:

https://pvlib-python.readthedocs.io/en/v0.10.4/reference/generated/pvlib.snow.coverage_nrel.html

However this model does not account for the movement of a tracker and the snow pile that may accumulate.

Describe the solution you'd like In 2018, Defne Gun, Mike Anderson, Greg Kimball, and Ben Bourne developed a dynamic snow loss model:

https://gregorykimball.me/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/mewcpec1079_0614162840_snow_2018.pdf

My solution would be to contribute this code to pvlib so the industry may model snow losses accounted for the dynamic nature of Horizontal Single Axis Tracker (HSAT) systems. I wrote code 2 years ago when I was relatively new to python. I would appreciate any feedback and advice you have however in the meantime I will also review my code as I am sure it can be improved. After an initial look I will start by refactoring to functional programming (I can also refactor to OOP if that is what you would prefer). In addition I will also update the code to follow the pvlib guidelines.

Describe alternatives you've considered No other dynamic model currently exists in pvlib, I am simply using a model that has already been developed and released publicly.

Thank you in advance for the guidance and help on this, looking forward to contributing!