diff --git a/docs/examples/adr-pvarray/plot_simulate_system.py b/docs/examples/adr-pvarray/plot_simulate_system.py
index b0abede934..315492f2ba 100644
--- a/docs/examples/adr-pvarray/plot_simulate_system.py
+++ b/docs/examples/adr-pvarray/plot_simulate_system.py
@@ -12,12 +12,11 @@
 Author: Anton Driesse
 """
 
-import os
 import pandas as pd
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
 import pvlib
-from pvlib import iotools, location
+from pvlib import iotools, location, tools
 from pvlib.irradiance import get_total_irradiance
 from pvlib.pvarray import pvefficiency_adr
 
@@ -26,10 +25,9 @@
 # Read a TMY3 file containing weather data and select needed columns
 #
 
-PVLIB_DIR = pvlib.__path__[0]
-DATA_FILE = os.path.join(PVLIB_DIR, 'data', '723170TYA.CSV')
+tmy3_filepath = tools.get_example_dataset_path('723170TYA.CSV')
 
-tmy, metadata = iotools.read_tmy3(DATA_FILE, coerce_year=1990,
+tmy, metadata = iotools.read_tmy3(tmy3_filepath, coerce_year=1990,
                                   map_variables=True)
 
 df = pd.DataFrame({'ghi': tmy['ghi'], 'dhi': tmy['dhi'], 'dni': tmy['dni'],
diff --git a/docs/examples/irradiance-decomposition/plot_diffuse_fraction.py b/docs/examples/irradiance-decomposition/plot_diffuse_fraction.py
index 30d1385f87..03d2966cf8 100644
--- a/docs/examples/irradiance-decomposition/plot_diffuse_fraction.py
+++ b/docs/examples/irradiance-decomposition/plot_diffuse_fraction.py
@@ -14,20 +14,19 @@
 # GHI into the diffuse and direct components. The separate components are
 # needed to estimate the total irradiance on a tilted surface.
 
-import pathlib
 from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
 import pandas as pd
 from pvlib.iotools import read_tmy3
 from pvlib.solarposition import get_solarposition
 from pvlib import irradiance
-import pvlib
+from pvlib import tools
 
 # For this example we use the Greensboro, North Carolina, TMY3 file which is
 # in the pvlib data directory. TMY3 are made from the median months from years
 # of data measured from 1990 to 2010. Therefore we change the timestamps to a
 # common year, 1990.
-DATA_DIR = pathlib.Path(pvlib.__file__).parent / 'data'
-greensboro, metadata = read_tmy3(DATA_DIR / '723170TYA.CSV', coerce_year=1990,
+tmy3_filepath = tools.get_example_dataset_path('723170TYA.CSV')
+greensboro, metadata = read_tmy3(tmy3_filepath, coerce_year=1990,
                                  map_variables=True)
 
 # Many of the diffuse fraction estimation methods require the "true" zenith, so
diff --git a/docs/examples/irradiance-transposition/plot_seasonal_tilt.py b/docs/examples/irradiance-transposition/plot_seasonal_tilt.py
index afe610f6d2..a46e81619e 100644
--- a/docs/examples/irradiance-transposition/plot_seasonal_tilt.py
+++ b/docs/examples/irradiance-transposition/plot_seasonal_tilt.py
@@ -12,11 +12,9 @@
 # to use a custom Mount class to use the Seasonal Tilt strategy
 # with :py:class:`~pvlib.modelchain.ModelChain`.
 
-import pvlib
-from pvlib import pvsystem, location, modelchain, iotools
+from pvlib import pvsystem, location, modelchain, iotools, tools
 from pvlib.temperature import TEMPERATURE_MODEL_PARAMETERS
 import pandas as pd
-import pathlib
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 
@@ -43,9 +41,10 @@ def get_orientation(self, solar_zenith, solar_azimuth):
 # First let's grab some weather data and make sure our mount produces tilts
 # like we expect:
 
-DATA_DIR = pathlib.Path(pvlib.__file__).parent / 'data'
-tmy, metadata = iotools.read_tmy3(DATA_DIR / '723170TYA.CSV', coerce_year=1990,
+tmy3_filepath = tools.get_example_dataset_path('723170TYA.CSV')
+tmy, metadata = iotools.read_tmy3(tmy3_filepath, coerce_year=1990,
                                   map_variables=True)
+
 # shift from TMY3 right-labeled index to left-labeled index:
 tmy.index = tmy.index - pd.Timedelta(hours=1)
 weather = pd.DataFrame({
diff --git a/docs/examples/irradiance-transposition/plot_transposition_gain.py b/docs/examples/irradiance-transposition/plot_transposition_gain.py
index 4ce558b47c..047eac0e11 100644
--- a/docs/examples/irradiance-transposition/plot_transposition_gain.py
+++ b/docs/examples/irradiance-transposition/plot_transposition_gain.py
@@ -19,21 +19,20 @@
 # insolation is calculated for each strategy to show how orientation affects
 # seasonal irradiance collection.
 
-import pvlib
 from pvlib import location
 from pvlib import irradiance
 from pvlib import tracking
+from pvlib import tools
 from pvlib.iotools import read_tmy3
 import pandas as pd
 from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
-import pathlib
 
-# get full path to the data directory
-DATA_DIR = pathlib.Path(pvlib.__file__).parent / 'data'
+# get full path to the example file
+tmy3_filepath = tools.get_example_dataset_path('723170TYA.CSV')
 
 # get TMY3 dataset
-tmy, metadata = read_tmy3(DATA_DIR / '723170TYA.CSV', coerce_year=1990,
-                          map_variables=True)
+tmy, metadata = read_tmy3(tmy3_filepath, coerce_year=1990, map_variables=True)
+
 # TMY3 datasets are right-labeled (AKA "end of interval") which means the last
 # interval of Dec 31, 23:00 to Jan 1 00:00 is labeled Jan 1 00:00. When rolling
 # up hourly irradiance to monthly insolation, a spurious January value is
diff --git a/docs/examples/soiling/plot_fig3A_hsu_soiling_example.py b/docs/examples/soiling/plot_fig3A_hsu_soiling_example.py
index 9103fa0207..ddd499321b 100644
--- a/docs/examples/soiling/plot_fig3A_hsu_soiling_example.py
+++ b/docs/examples/soiling/plot_fig3A_hsu_soiling_example.py
@@ -21,18 +21,19 @@
 # PM2.5 and PM10 data come from the EPA. First, let's read in the
 # weather data and run the HSU soiling model:
 
-import pathlib
 from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
 from pvlib import soiling
 import pvlib
 import pandas as pd
 
-# get full path to the data directory
-DATA_DIR = pathlib.Path(pvlib.__file__).parent / 'data'
+# get full path to the example file
+soiling_hsu_filepath = \
+    pvlib.tools.get_example_dataset_path('soiling_hsu_example_inputs.csv')
 
 # read rainfall, PM2.5, and PM10 data from file
-imperial_county = pd.read_csv(DATA_DIR / 'soiling_hsu_example_inputs.csv',
-                              index_col=0, parse_dates=True)
+imperial_county = pd.read_csv(soiling_hsu_filepath, index_col=0,
+                              parse_dates=True)
+
 rainfall = imperial_county['rain']
 depo_veloc = {'2_5': 0.0009, '10': 0.004}  # default values from [1] (m/s)
 rain_accum_period = pd.Timedelta('1h')     # default
diff --git a/docs/examples/soiling/plot_greensboro_kimber_soiling.py b/docs/examples/soiling/plot_greensboro_kimber_soiling.py
index 6565679f6d..6d8a2c8ca4 100644
--- a/docs/examples/soiling/plot_greensboro_kimber_soiling.py
+++ b/docs/examples/soiling/plot_greensboro_kimber_soiling.py
@@ -30,17 +30,16 @@
 # step.
 
 from datetime import datetime
-import pathlib
 from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
 from pvlib.iotools import read_tmy3
 from pvlib.soiling import kimber
-import pvlib
+from pvlib.tools import get_example_dataset_path
 
-# get full path to the data directory
-DATA_DIR = pathlib.Path(pvlib.__file__).parent / 'data'
+# get full path to the dataset file
+tmy_filepath = get_example_dataset_path('723170TYA.CSV')
 
 # get TMY3 data with rain
-greensboro, _ = read_tmy3(DATA_DIR / '723170TYA.CSV', coerce_year=1990,
+greensboro, _ = read_tmy3(tmy_filepath, coerce_year=1990,
                           map_variables=True)
 # get the rain data
 greensboro_rain = greensboro['Lprecip depth (mm)']
@@ -65,3 +64,5 @@
 plt.tight_layout()
 
 plt.show()
+
+# %%
diff --git a/docs/sphinx/source/conf.py b/docs/sphinx/source/conf.py
index cadadcd963..fc4b6ba81c 100644
--- a/docs/sphinx/source/conf.py
+++ b/docs/sphinx/source/conf.py
@@ -366,6 +366,11 @@ def setup(app):
     # Modules for which function/class level galleries are created. In
     # this case only pvlib, could include others though.  must be tuple of str
     'doc_module': ('pvlib',),
+
+    # objects to exclude from implicit backreferences
+    # https://sphinx-gallery.github.io/stable/configuration.html
+    # Section #add-mini-galleries-for-api-documentation
+    'exclude_implicit_doc': {r'pvlib\.tools\.get_example_dataset_path'},
 }
 # supress warnings in gallery output
 # https://sphinx-gallery.github.io/stable/configuration.html
diff --git a/docs/sphinx/source/reference/iotools.rst b/docs/sphinx/source/reference/iotools.rst
index c902e3181a..5b757a1a5f 100644
--- a/docs/sphinx/source/reference/iotools.rst
+++ b/docs/sphinx/source/reference/iotools.rst
@@ -51,3 +51,10 @@ in some files.
 
    location.Location.from_tmy
    location.Location.from_epw
+
+Functions for locating the example data files included in pvlib.
+
+.. autosummary::
+   :toctree: generated/
+
+   tools.get_example_dataset_path
diff --git a/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.10.0.rst b/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.10.0.rst
index e7816020bd..4a55e61428 100644
--- a/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.10.0.rst
+++ b/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.10.0.rst
@@ -72,6 +72,8 @@ Deprecations
 
 Enhancements
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~
+* Added `map_variables` parameter to :py:func:`pvlib.iotools.read_srml`
+  and :py:func:`pvlib.iotools.read_srml_month_from_solardat` (:pull:`1773`)
 * Added two new irradiance decomposition models: :py:func:`pvlib.irradiance.orgill_hollands` (:pull:`1730`)
   and :py:func:`pvlib.irradiance.louche` (:pull:`1705`).
 * The return values of :py:func:`pvlib.pvsystem.calcparams_desoto`,
diff --git a/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.10.2.rst b/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.10.2.rst
index dacfe27f53..6801232616 100644
--- a/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.10.2.rst
+++ b/docs/sphinx/source/whatsnew/v0.10.2.rst
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ Enhancements
   (:pull:`1800`)
 * Added option to infer threshold values for 
   :py:func:`pvlib.clearsky.detect_clearsky` (:issue:`1808`, :pull:`1784`)
-
+* Add :py:func:`pvlib.tools.locate_example_dataset` to get example and test
+  files under `pvlib/data` path.
+  (:issue:`924`, :pull:`1763`)
 
 Bug fixes
 ~~~~~~~~~
@@ -43,3 +45,4 @@ Contributors
 * Adam R. Jensen (:ghuser:`AdamRJensen`)
 * Abigail Jones (:ghuser:`ajonesr`)
 * Taos Transue (:ghuser:`reepoi`)
+* Echedey Luis (:ghuser:`echedey-ls`)
diff --git a/pvlib/tests/test_tools.py b/pvlib/tests/test_tools.py
index 583141a726..1aba05d317 100644
--- a/pvlib/tests/test_tools.py
+++ b/pvlib/tests/test_tools.py
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 import pytest
 
+import pvlib
 from pvlib import tools
 import numpy as np
 import pandas as pd
+import pathlib
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('keys, input_dict, expected', [
@@ -120,3 +122,22 @@ def test_get_pandas_index(args, args_idx):
         assert index is None
     else:
         pd.testing.assert_index_equal(args[args_idx].index, index)
+
+
+def test_get_example_dataset_path_passes():
+    expected_dataset = '723170TYA.CSV'
+    assert pathlib.Path(pvlib.__path__[0], 'data',
+                        expected_dataset).exists()
+    assert tools.get_example_dataset_path(pathlib.Path(expected_dataset)) \
+           .name == expected_dataset
+    assert tools.get_example_dataset_path(expected_dataset).exists()
+
+
+def test_get_example_dataset_path_fails_on_not_found():
+    error_prompt = "Dataset has not been found in pvlib at .*. " \
+                   "Please check dataset name."
+    nonexistent_file = "_Texto_cualquiera.-formato-"
+    assert not pathlib.Path(pvlib.__path__[0], 'data',
+                            nonexistent_file).exists()
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match=error_prompt):
+        tools.get_example_dataset_path(nonexistent_file)
diff --git a/pvlib/tools.py b/pvlib/tools.py
index fe1b79a5f1..c28595697e 100644
--- a/pvlib/tools.py
+++ b/pvlib/tools.py
@@ -2,11 +2,14 @@
 Collection of functions used in pvlib_python
 """
 
+import pvlib
+
 import datetime as dt
 import numpy as np
 import pandas as pd
 import pytz
 import warnings
+import pathlib
 
 
 def cosd(angle):
@@ -494,3 +497,30 @@ def get_pandas_index(*args):
         (a.index for a in args if isinstance(a, (pd.DataFrame, pd.Series))),
         None
     )
+
+
+def get_example_dataset_path(dataset):
+    """
+    Return a filepath to a dataset bundled with PVLIB with name `dataset`.
+    This utility is intended to be used in examples:
+
+        .. ipython:: python
+
+            import pvlib
+            pvlib.tools.get_example_dataset_path('surfrad-slv16001.dat')
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    dataset : str or PurePath
+        Name of dataset file.
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    path : PurePath
+        Path pointing to an example dataset file in PVLIB.
+    """
+    dataset = pathlib.Path(pvlib.__path__[0], 'data', dataset)
+    if not dataset.exists():
+        raise ValueError(f"Dataset has not been found in pvlib at {dataset}. "
+                         "Please check dataset name.")
+    return dataset