diff --git a/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.16.2.rst b/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.16.2.rst
index b43e21ac47..242903090e 100644
--- a/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.16.2.rst
+++ b/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.16.2.rst
@@ -26,6 +26,10 @@ Documentation
   rotation minimizes the angle of incidence (AOI) to maximize the use of
   direct normal irradiance (DNI). (:issue:`2314`, :pull:`2869`)
 
+* Clarify that :py:func:`pvlib.ivtools.sdm.fit_pvsyst_sandia` and
+  :py:func:`pvlib.ivtools.sdm.fit_desoto_sandia` require multiple IV curves.
+  (:issue:`1715`)
+
 
 Testing
 ~~~~~~~
@@ -46,4 +50,5 @@ Maintenance
 Contributors
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
+* :ghuser:`anshurajbisoyi98-ctrl`
 * Chen Yi (:ghuser:`chenyi6758-source`)
diff --git a/pvlib/ivtools/sdm/desoto.py b/pvlib/ivtools/sdm/desoto.py
index a97db7d702..391558591f 100644
--- a/pvlib/ivtools/sdm/desoto.py
+++ b/pvlib/ivtools/sdm/desoto.py
@@ -221,6 +221,9 @@ def fit_desoto_sandia(ivcurves, specs, const=None, maxiter=5, eps1=1.e-3):
     """
     Estimate parameters for the De Soto module performance model.
 
+    Requires multiple IV curves measured at different effective irradiance
+    and cell temperature conditions.
+
     Parameters
     ----------
     ivcurves : dict
diff --git a/pvlib/ivtools/sdm/pvsyst.py b/pvlib/ivtools/sdm/pvsyst.py
index 343d278fe9..309cc42799 100644
--- a/pvlib/ivtools/sdm/pvsyst.py
+++ b/pvlib/ivtools/sdm/pvsyst.py
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ def fit_pvsyst_sandia(ivcurves, specs, const=None, maxiter=5, eps1=1.e-3):
     """
     Estimate parameters for the PVsyst module performance model.
 
+    Requires multiple IV curves measured at different effective irradiance
+    and cell temperature conditions.
+
     Parameters
     ----------
     ivcurves : dict