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Method of solar power prediction

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1459577

Techniques for estimating direct and diffuse sunlight reaching a location as a function of time using color whole sky images are provided. In one aspect, a method for forecasting solar insolation is provided that includes the steps of: obtaining color whole sky images using a digital camera which are taken at different times, and wherein an image of a solar disk is present in at least one of the color whole sky images; creating sky transparency images from the color whole sky images; determining atmospheric solar scattering based on a width of the solar disk in the color whole sky images; determining cloud motion trajectories from a time series of the sky transparency images; and calculating the solar insolation as a function of time using the sky transparency, the atmospheric solar scattering, and the cloud motion trajectories. A system for forecasting solar insolation is also provided.

Research Organization:
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
EE0006017
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY)
Patent Number(s):
10,007,999
Application Number:
15/233,412
OSTI ID:
1459577
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (4)

Direct normal irradiance forecasting and its application to concentrated solar thermal output forecasting – A review journal October 2014
Intra-hour DNI forecasting based on cloud tracking image analysis journal May 2013
Irradiance Forecasting for the Power Prediction of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems journal March 2009
A Technique for Global Monitoring of Net Solar Irradiance at the Ocean Surface. Part I: Model journal September 1992

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