SMARTS wrapper function

Back in 2018 I sent @cwhanse a Matlab wrapper for SMARTS we used on our UofA laboratory, with permission to publish, but got sidetracked and never documented. I just ported the code to Python and it seems to be working good.

I’ll be ding a pull request for the python wrapper.

This is the ` original matlab code_<(https://www.dropbox.com/s/qqmht1vdkq79l8p/SMARTS_MatlabWrapper.rar?dl=0)>

This where some of the highlights from the emails in 2018:

• Basically [PVlib] can publish the Matlab code and put the responsibility to obtain SMARTS on the user.
• We need to have a separate license for the UofAz Matlab code. (BSD-3 License included in the dropbox folder)
• Users will be responsible to obtain a copy of SMARTS Fortran from NREL, honor it’s license, and build their own MEX file (they have to compile the Fortran code using a Matlab compatible compiler, a list and instructions are at https://www.mathworks.com/support/compilers.html).

Couple notes: -Not sure how the license extends to the Python code -Right now the functions assume that the SMARTS executable (“smarts295bat.exe”) is on the same folder as the function (pvlib folder). This should change depending on how the above wants to be handled, I’d appreciate support for that based on what we decide.

This is kinda related to #71 , but PyRTM had other functionalities as well.

[shirubana]

i have a python version of spctrl2 coded, vut haven’t tracked down the proper licensing steps for that one yet. it’s in my to do…

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S10, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone

[mikofski]

I have been distributing a Python extension of SOLPOS and SPECTRL2 for years. My view is if it’s on the internet then it’s public, but they specifically mention the license & disclaimer, so I distribute it with the package here:

SPECTRL2

SOLPOS

In a nutshell the license and disclaimers say:

1. anyone can use the software freely
2. you may be subject to US laws
3. usage doesn’t imply endorsement
4. there is no warranty or liability

IMO it’s similar to a bsd-2 license

Silvana, AFAIK, this liberal license would allow your port to be a completely license free work. There’s no restrictive cop-yright or attribution, in fact the license literally says you can use it anyway you want for free.

paid-up [ie: free] nonexclusive, irrevocable world-wide license to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly

Therefore it would be awesome if we could pull your port into pvlib. Thanks!