Arrangement support device for solar cell, and arrangement support method for solar cell

Abstract

To easily estimate an amount of solar radiation.SOLUTION: An arrangement support device 10 for a solar cell SC includes: a determination unit 104 which determines a plurality of pieces of partial image data Dpimg corresponding by one to one to a plurality of partial areas PAR obtained by dividing a surface area SAR of a building BL on the basis of a plurality of pieces of image data Dimg obtained by capturing the building BL from each of a plurality of different capturing positions P; an estimation unit 106 which estimates an amount of solar radiation in each of the plurality of partial areas PAR on the basis of the partial image data Dpimg corresponding to the partial area PAR among the plurality of pieces of the partial image data Dpimg; and a specifying unit 108 which specifies a first area suitable for arranging the solar cell SC from among the plurality of the partial areas PAR on the basis of the amount of solar radiation in each of the plurality of the partial areas PAR estimated by the estimation unit 106.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar cell placement assistance device and a solar cell placement assistance method. [Background technology]

[0002] When installing new solar cells, it is preferable to be able to predict in advance the amount of power generated by the newly installed solar cells, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that derives the amount of power generated by solar panels to be installed on a roof based on the area of ​​the effective area on the roof of a building where solar panels can be installed and the amount of solar radiation in that effective area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-135844 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, it is difficult to measure the amount of solar radiation on a building on-site. It is particularly difficult to measure the amount of solar radiation on the side of a building. For this reason, conventional techniques have had the problem of not being able to easily estimate the amount of solar radiation. If the amount of solar radiation cannot be easily estimated, it is difficult to identify a suitable location for arranging solar cells.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and one of the problems to be solved is to provide a technique for easily estimating the amount of solar radiation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a solar cell placement assistance device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a determination unit that determines, based on a plurality of image data obtained by imaging a specific building from a plurality of different imaging positions, a plurality of partial image data that correspond one-to-one to a plurality of partial areas into which an area of ​​the surface of the specific building is divided; an estimation unit that estimates the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial areas based on the partial image data among the plurality of partial image data that corresponds to the partial area; and an identification unit that identifies a first area from the plurality of partial areas that is suitable for solar cell placement based on the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial areas estimated by the estimation unit.

[0007] A preferred embodiment of the solar cell placement support method of the present invention determines, based on multiple image data obtained by imaging a specific building from multiple different imaging positions, multiple partial image data that correspond one-to-one to multiple partial areas into which the surface area of ​​the specific building is divided, estimates the amount of solar radiation for each of the multiple partial areas based on partial image data from the multiple partial image data that corresponds to the partial area, and identifies a first area from the multiple partial areas that is suitable for solar cell placement based on the amount of solar radiation for each of the multiple partial areas estimated based on the partial image data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the amount of solar radiation can be easily estimated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of a solar cell arrangement assistance device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a placement assistance device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of the operation of a determination unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of the operation of an estimation unit. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining estimation of the amount of solar radiation in each partial region during a specific period. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the placement assistance device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [1. Embodiment] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of a solar cell SC arrangement support device 10 according to an embodiment.

[0011] For ease of explanation, a three-axis Cartesian coordinate system having an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other will be introduced below. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the XY plane including the X-axis and the Y-axis corresponds to a horizontal plane. The Z-axis is an axis along the vertical direction. Hereinafter, the Y1 direction along the Y-axis and the Y2 direction opposite to the Y1 direction will be collectively referred to as the Y-axis direction. Hereinafter, the X1 direction along the X-axis and the X2 direction opposite to the X1 direction will be collectively referred to as the X-axis direction. Hereinafter, the Z1 direction along the Z-axis and the Z2 direction opposite to the Z1 direction will be collectively referred to as the Z-axis direction.

[0012] The solar cell SC placement assistance device 10 is an assistance device used when installing solar cells SC in a building. In this specification, the term "device" may be replaced with other terms such as circuit, device, or unit. As the placement assistance device 10, for example, any information processing device can be adopted. For example, the placement assistance device 10 may be a stationary information device such as a personal computer, or a portable information terminal such as a smartphone, a notebook personal computer, or a tablet terminal. The configuration of the placement assistance device 10 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a specific building in which solar cells SC are installed will be referred to as a building BL. Note that simply referring to a "building" does not exclude the specific building (building BL) in which solar cells SC are installed.

[0013] 1 illustrates solar cells SC for ease of understanding, but the placement assistance device 10 is used before solar cells SC are installed in a building BL. Alternatively, the placement assistance device 10 is used when installing new solar cells SC in a building BL where solar cells SC are already installed. Note that the placement assistance device 10 may also be used simply to estimate the amount of solar radiation, regardless of whether solar cells SC are to be installed or not.

[0014] For example, the solar cell SC placement support method executed by the placement support device 10 uses a plurality of image data Dimg obtained by capturing images of a building BL from a plurality of different imaging positions P (imaging positions P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 in the example of FIG. 1). Hereinafter, the imaging positions P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 may be collectively referred to as imaging positions P. In addition, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the plurality of image data Dimg and the plurality of partial image data Dpimg described later in FIG. 3 indicate RGB values ​​based on an RGB color space for each pixel. In addition, in this embodiment, it is assumed that one imaging device 20 captures images of the building BL from a plurality of imaging positions P (P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5). In addition, it is assumed that the imaging device 20 captures images of the building BL at each imaging position P in time series (for example, at 30-minute intervals). Therefore, in this embodiment, each of the plurality of image data Dimg and each of the plurality of partial image data Dpimg is time-series data. The imaging device 20 is, for example, a camera.

[0015] For example, the imaging device 20 captures an image of the building BL from an imaging position P1 in the Y1 direction relative to the building BL. This generates image data Dimg representing an image of the building BL as viewed from the imaging position P1. The image of the building BL captured from the imaging position P1 includes an image of an area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL as viewed from the imaging position P1. The imaging device 20 also captures an image of the building BL from an imaging position P2 in the X1 direction relative to the building BL. This generates image data Dimg representing an image of the building BL as viewed from the imaging position P2. The image of the building BL captured from the imaging position P2 includes an image of an area SAR2 on the surface of the building BL as viewed from the imaging position P2. The imaging device 20 also captures an image of the building BL from an imaging position P3 in the Y2 direction relative to the building BL. This generates image data Dimg representing an image of the building BL as viewed from the imaging position P3. The image of the building BL captured from the imaging position P3 includes an image of an area SAR3 on the surface of the building BL as viewed from the imaging position P3. Furthermore, the imaging device 20 captures an image of the building BL from an imaging position P4 in the X2 direction relative to the building BL. This generates image data Dimg that shows an image of the building BL as seen from the imaging position P4. The image of the building BL captured from the imaging position P4 includes an image of an area SAR4 on the surface of the building BL when viewed from the imaging position P4. Furthermore, the imaging device 20 captures an image of the building BL from an imaging position P5 in the Z2 direction relative to the building BL. This generates image data Dimg that shows an image of the building BL as seen from the imaging position P5. The image of the building BL captured from the imaging position P5 includes an image of an area SAR5 on the surface of the building BL when viewed from the imaging position P5. Hereinafter, the areas SAR1, SAR2, SAR3, SAR4, and SAR5 may be collectively referred to as area SAR.

[0016] The placement assistance device 10 acquires, for example, a plurality of image data Dimg obtained by the imaging device 20 capturing images of the building BL from a plurality of imaging positions P. Then, based on the plurality of image data Dimg, the placement assistance device 10 determines a plurality of partial image data Dpimg (see FIG. 3) that correspond one-to-one to a plurality of partial areas PAR into which the area SAR on the surface of the building BL is divided. Note that in FIG. 1, for ease of viewing, partial areas PAR of the area SAR other than area SAR2 are omitted.

[0017] The placement assistance device 10 also estimates the amount of solar radiation in one of the plurality of partial regions PAR based on the partial image data Dpimg corresponding to the one partial region PAR among the plurality of partial image data Dpimg. The estimation of the amount of solar radiation in one partial region PAR is performed for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR. The placement assistance device 10 also identifies a first region suitable for the placement of solar cells SC from the plurality of partial regions PAR based on the amount of solar radiation in each of the plurality of partial regions PAR estimated based on the partial image data Dpimg. For example, the placement assistance device 10 identifies a partial region PAR with a high amount of solar radiation from the plurality of partial regions PAR as the first region suitable for the placement of solar cells SC.

[0018] Note that, as described above, the present embodiment assumes a case in which one imaging device 20 captures images of the building BL from a plurality of different imaging positions P. However, a plurality of imaging devices 20 may capture images of the building BL from a plurality of imaging positions P. In this case, the number of imaging devices 20 may or may not match the number of imaging positions P. Furthermore, the method by which the imaging device 20 captures images of the building BL from a plurality of imaging positions P is not particularly limited. For example, an imaging device 20 mounted on an unmanned moving object such as a drone (registered trademark) may capture images of the building BL from a plurality of imaging positions P. Alternatively, a user may go to a plurality of imaging positions P and capture images of the building BL from the plurality of imaging positions P using the imaging device 20.

[0019] Next, an outline of the configuration of the placement assistance device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the placement assistance device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The placement assistance device 10 includes a processing device 100, a storage device 120, a communication device 140, an operation device 160, and a display device 180. For example, the processing device 100, the storage device 120, the communication device 140, the operation device 160, and the display device 180 are connected to one another by one or more buses for communicating information. Note that each of the processing device 100, the storage device 120, the communication device 140, the operation device 160, and the display device 180 may be composed of one or more devices. Alternatively, some of the multiple elements, such as the processing device 100, the storage device 120, the communication device 140, the operation device 160, and the display device 180, may be included in other elements or may be omitted.

[0022] The processing device 100 is a processor that controls the entire arrangement assistance device 10, and is configured, for example, by one or more chips. The processing device 100 is configured, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. Note that some or all of the functions of the processing device 100 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processing device 100 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0023] The processing device 100, for example, reads the control program PR from the storage device 120 and executes the read control program PR to function as an acquisition unit 102, a determination unit 104, an estimation unit 106, an identification unit 108, and a display control unit 109. The control program PR may be transmitted from another device.

[0024] The acquisition unit 102 acquires, for example, a plurality of image data Dimg obtained by capturing images of the building BL from a plurality of different imaging positions P via the communication device 140. For example, the acquisition unit 102 acquires the image data Dimg from a device (for example, the imaging device 20) in which the image data Dimg is stored via the communication device 140. Note that the acquisition unit 102 may acquire the image data Dimg via a portable recording medium that is detachable from the placement assistance device 10.

[0025] The determination unit 104 determines, for example, a plurality of partial image data Dpimg that correspond one-to-one to a plurality of partial areas PAR into which an area SAR on the surface of the building BL is divided, based on the plurality of image data Dimg acquired by the acquisition unit 102. For example, for each image data Dimg, the determination unit 104 identifies a plurality of partial areas PAR from the image of the building BL represented by the image data Dimg, and determines the image data of each of the plurality of partial areas PAR as the partial image data Dpimg. In this way, the determination unit 104 determines a plurality of partial image data Dpimg that correspond one-to-one to a plurality of partial areas PAR of the building BL, based on the plurality of image data Dimg obtained by respectively capturing images of the building BL from a plurality of different imaging positions P.

[0026] The estimation unit 106 estimates the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR of the building BL based on the partial image data Dpimg corresponding to the partial region PAR among the plurality of partial image data Dpimg determined by the determination unit 104. For example, the estimation unit 106 estimates the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR of the building BL using a learning model LM related to the amount of solar radiation for buildings. The learning model LM has already learned the relationship between the amount of solar radiation and explanatory variables including, for example, image data indicating an image of the building using RGB values ​​for each pixel.

[0027] The identification unit 108 identifies a first region suitable for placement of the solar cell SC from the plurality of partial regions PAR based on the amount of solar radiation of each of the plurality of partial regions PAR estimated by the estimation unit 106. For example, the placement assistance device 10 identifies a partial region PAR with a large amount of solar radiation in a specific period among the plurality of partial regions PAR as a first region suitable for placement of the solar cell SC. The specific period may be, for example, one day. Note that the specific period is not limited to one day. For example, the specific period may be the period from sunrise to sunset.

[0028] The display control unit 109 controls, for example, the operation of the display device 180. For example, the display control unit 109 displays the first area identified by the identification unit 108 on the display device 180. Specifically, the display control unit 109 displays, on the display device 180, information indicating the position on the surface of the building BL of the partial area PAR identified as the first area. For example, the display control unit 109 may display, on the display device 180, an image of the building BL so that the user can recognize the partial area PAR identified as the first area. Note that the display control unit 109 may display, on the display device 180, text describing the position on the surface of the building BL of the partial area PAR identified as the first area.

[0029] The storage device 120 is a recording medium readable by the processing device 100, and stores various data such as a plurality of programs including a control program PR executed by the processing device 100. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the storage device 120 stores the control program PR as well as the learning model LM used by the estimation unit 106. The storage device 120 may be configured with at least one of, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and a random access memory (RAM). The storage device 120 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory, or the like.

[0030] The communication device 140 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating with other devices such as the imaging device 20. The communication device 140 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 140 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. in order to realize, for example, one or both of Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD).

[0031] The operation device 160 is an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The display device 180 is an output device such as a display that outputs to the outside. The display device 180 displays an image under the control of the display control unit 109, for example. Note that the operation device 160 and the display device 180 may be integrated into one unit (for example, a touch panel).

[0032] The configuration of the placement assistance device 10 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 2. For example, one or both of the operation device 160 and the display device 180 may be provided outside the placement assistance device 10. Also, for example, the determination unit 104 may have the function of the acquisition unit 102. Also, for example, the display control unit 109 may be omitted.

[0033] Next, an overview of the operation of the determination unit 104 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0034] Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of the operation of the determination unit 104. Note that Fig. 3 explains the operation of the determination unit 104 using as an example a case where a plurality of partial image data Dpimg is determined that corresponds one-to-one with a plurality of partial areas PAR into which an area SAR1 on the surface of a building BL is divided. Similarly to the area SAR1, a plurality of partial image data Dpimg that corresponds one-to-one with a plurality of partial areas PAR is also determined for each of the areas SAR2, SAR3, and SAR4 on the surface of the building BL.

[0035] The building identification process and partial image data determination process shown in FIG. 3 are, for example, part of the process of step S120 described later with reference to FIG.

[0036] First, in the building identification process, the determining unit 104 identifies a portion of the building BL from the image represented by the image data Dimg obtained by capturing an image of the building BL from the imaging position P1. This identifies an area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL. Note that the method for identifying the portion of the building BL from the image represented by the image data Dimg is not particularly limited, and known methods such as image recognition based on feature amounts can be used.

[0037] Next, in the partial image data determination process, the determination unit 104 divides the area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL identified in the building identification process into a grid pattern. As a result, a plurality of partial areas PAR into which the area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL has been divided is determined. Then, the determination unit 104 determines the image data of each of the plurality of partial areas PAR into which the area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL has been divided as partial image data Dpimg. As a result, a plurality of partial image data Dpimg is determined that correspond one-to-one to the plurality of partial areas PAR into which the area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL has been divided.

[0038] The number of divisions into which the area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL is divided may be predetermined by a user or may be determined by the determination unit 104 based on the size of the area SAR1. The division of the area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL is not limited to a grid-like division. For example, the user may use the operation device 160 to specify how to divide the area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL. Specifically, the area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL identified in the building identification process may be displayed on the display device 180. The user may then draw lines or the like indicating boundaries of the multiple partial areas PAR on the image of the area SAR1 displayed on the display device 180 via the operation device 160. In this way, the user specifies multiple partial areas PAR obtained by dividing the area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL. The determination unit 104 may then identify the multiple partial areas PAR specified by the user and determine the image data of each of the multiple partial areas PAR as partial image data Dpimg.

[0039] Next, an overview of the operation of the estimation unit 106 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of the operation of the estimation unit 106. As shown in FIG.

[0041] The estimation unit 106 reads from the storage device 120 a learning model LM that has learned the relationship between explanatory variables and solar radiation, including image data that indicates an image of a building using RGB values ​​for each pixel. The estimation unit 106 then inputs one of the partial image data Dpimg into the learning model LM read from the storage device 120. As a result, solar radiation data Dsra indicating the solar radiation of the partial region PAR corresponding to the one partial image data Dpimg is output from the learning model LM. The above-mentioned process, i.e., the process of acquiring the solar radiation data Dsra output from the learning model LM to which the one partial image data Dpimg has been input, is performed for each of the multiple partial image data Dpimg. The learning model LM may also be transmitted from another device.

[0042] In this way, the estimation unit 106 inputs at least each of the plurality of partial image data Dpimg into the learning model LM, and thereby acquires the solar radiation data Dsra indicating the amount of solar radiation corresponding to each of the plurality of partial image data Dpimg output from the learning model LM. That is, the estimation unit 106 estimates the amount of solar radiation indicated by the solar radiation data Dsra corresponding to each of the plurality of partial image data Dpimg as the amount of solar radiation of the partial region PAR corresponding to each of the plurality of partial image data Dpimg.

[0043] Here, for example, the learning model LM is a model that learns the relationship between RGB values ​​and solar radiation using the solar radiation measured on the rooftop of a building or the like as the objective variable and the RGB values ​​of the image of the building at the time of measurement as the explanatory variables. For example, if solar radiation measurements and images of a building are taken chronologically on a given day, the RGB values ​​and solar radiation at a first time when the measured solar radiation is maximum and a second time when the measured solar radiation is minimum are used to learn the relationship between RGB values ​​and solar radiation. Specifically, the relationship between RGB values ​​and solar radiation is learned based on the correspondence between the RGB values ​​of the image of the building taken at the first time and the solar radiation measured at the first time, and the correspondence between the RGB values ​​of the image of the building taken at the second time and the solar radiation measured at the second time.

[0044] Note that the data used to learn the relationship between RGB values ​​and the amount of solar radiation is not limited to the correspondence relationship between RGB values ​​and the amount of solar radiation at the first time and the correspondence relationship between RGB values ​​and the amount of solar radiation at the second time. For example, in addition to the correspondence relationship between RGB values ​​and the amount of solar radiation at each of the first and second times, correspondence relationships between RGB values ​​and the amount of solar radiation at one or more third times when the amount of solar radiation is between the maximum and minimum may be used to learn the relationship between RGB values ​​and the amount of solar radiation. It is preferable that the one or more third times include a time when the amount of solar radiation is intermediate between the maximum and minimum or close to the intermediate value.

[0045] Furthermore, since the weather varies from day to day, it is preferable to measure the amount of solar radiation and capture images of the building on multiple days.

[0046] Furthermore, in addition to the RGB values ​​of the building image, at least one of multiple data such as date, time, latitude and longitude may be used as an explanatory variable of the learning model LM. In this case, the estimation unit 106 inputs the multiple data used as explanatory variables (multiple data including partial image data Dpimg) into the learning model LM. For example, even if the RGB values ​​of the images of two partial regions PAR are the same, the amount of solar radiation in the two partial regions PAR may differ depending on the position of the sun. In this case, by adding data related to the position of the sun, such as date, time, latitude and longitude, to the explanatory variables, the amount of solar radiation in each partial region PAR can be accurately estimated.

[0047] In this way, in this embodiment, the amount of solar radiation in each partial area PAR of the building BL can be estimated based on the partial image data Dpimg corresponding to each partial area PAR, without directly measuring it using a solar radiation measuring device or the like. That is, in this embodiment, the amount of solar radiation in each partial area PAR of the building BL can be easily estimated. As a result, in this embodiment, the first area suitable for arranging the solar cell SC can be easily identified.

[0048] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, estimation of the amount of solar radiation in a specific period for each partial region PAR will be described.

[0049] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the estimation of the amount of solar radiation for each partial area PAR during a specific period. FIG. 5 shows a time series of sunlight hitting an area SAR1 on the surface of a building BL. The period T1 in FIG. 5 is one day from midnight to midnight and is an example of a "specific period." In the following, the Z1 direction may be referred to as "downward" and the Z2 direction may be referred to as "upward."

[0050] For example, at midnight and midnight, sunlight does not shine on area SAR1 on the surface of building BL. At 12:00, sunlight shines on the entire area SAR1 on the surface of building BL. At 14:00, the amount of solar radiation in the lower part of area SAR1 on the surface of building BL is less than the amount of solar radiation in the upper part of area SAR1 on the surface of building BL. At 16:00, sunlight does not shine on the lower part of area SAR1 on the surface of building BL. Furthermore, at 16:00, the amount of solar radiation in the intermediate part between the lower and upper parts of area SAR1 on the surface of building BL is less than the amount of solar radiation in the upper part of area SAR1 on the surface of building BL. At 18:00, compared to the state of area SAR1 on the surface of building BL at 16:00, the areas not exposed to sunlight increase and the areas with high solar radiation decrease.

[0051] In this way, the way sunlight hits the area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL changes over time. Therefore, the way sunlight hits each of the multiple partial areas PAR into which the area SAR1 on the surface of the building BL, which are imaged over time, is divided also changes over time. In this case, the amount of sunlight hitting each partial area PAR estimated by the estimation unit 106 also changes over time.

[0052] The estimation unit 106 estimates the amount of solar radiation for each partial area PAR during a period T1 based on the time-series amount of solar radiation for each partial area PAR. For example, the estimation unit 106 estimates the amount of solar radiation for one partial area PAR during a period T1 based on multiple solar radiation data Dsra corresponding to multiple image capture times for one partial area PAR among the multiple partial areas PAR. The multiple image capture times are times when images of the building BL were captured during the period T1. Information indicating the image capture times may be included in the image data Dimg. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 102 of the layout assistance device 10 may acquire the image data Dimg and information indicating the image capture times corresponding to the image data Dimg from the image capture device 20 or the like. The process of estimating the amount of solar radiation for one partial area PAR during a period T1 described above is performed for each of the multiple partial areas PAR.

[0053] The identification unit 108 identifies a first region suitable for arranging the solar cell SC from the multiple partial regions PAR based on the amount of solar radiation for each partial region PAR during the period T1 estimated by the estimation unit 106. The period T1 is not limited to one day. For example, the period T1 may be a period from a start time determined based on the average sunrise time for several days prior to the imaging date to an end time determined based on the average sunset time for those several days. In this case, the estimation unit 106 does not need to estimate the amount of solar radiation for each partial region PAR before the start time or after the end time. Therefore, the imaging device 20 does not need to capture images of the building BL before the start time or after the end time.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, the first region suitable for the placement of the solar cell SC is identified based on the amount of solar radiation in each partial region PAR during the period T1 estimated by the estimation unit 106. Here, for example, if the first region suitable for the placement of the solar cell SC is identified based only on the amount of solar radiation in each partial region PAR at a certain time, the first region may not be appropriately identified. Note that the case where the first region is not appropriately identified occurs when, for example, any of the partial regions PAR not identified as the first region is more suitable for the placement of the solar cell SC than the partial region PAR identified as the first region. For example, when the amount of solar radiation at a certain time (e.g., 2:00 p.m.) is compared among multiple partial regions PAR, the partial region PAR with the highest amount of solar radiation among the multiple partial regions PAR is not necessarily the partial region PAR with the highest amount of solar radiation in the period T1 among the multiple partial regions PAR. In this case, the first region (partial region PAR) identified based on the amount of solar radiation in the period T1 has a higher amount of solar radiation over one day than the first region (partial region PAR) identified based on the amount of solar radiation at a certain time, and is therefore more suitable for the placement of the solar cell SC. In this embodiment, as described above, the first region suitable for arranging the solar cell SC is identified based on the amount of solar radiation in each partial region PAR during the period T1, and therefore the first region can be identified appropriately.

[0055] Next, an outline of the operation of the placement assistance device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the placement assistance device 10.

[0057] First, in step S100, the processing device 100 functions as an acquisition unit 102 and acquires a plurality of image data Dimg obtained by capturing images of a building BL from a plurality of different imaging positions P. For example, the acquisition unit 102 acquires the plurality of image data Dimg via the communication device 140.

[0058] Next, in step S120, the processing device 100 functions as a determination unit 104 and determines, based on the multiple image data Dimg acquired in step S100, multiple partial image data Dpimg that correspond one-to-one to the multiple partial areas PAR into which the area SAR on the surface of the building BL is divided.

[0059] Next, in step S140, the processing device 100 functions as the estimation unit 106 and estimates the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR of the building BL based on the partial image data Dpimg corresponding to the partial region PAR among the plurality of partial image data Dpimg. For example, the estimation unit 106 inputs one of the plurality of partial image data Dpimg to the learning model LM, thereby acquiring solar radiation data Dsra indicating the amount of solar radiation corresponding to the one partial image data Dpimg output from the learning model LM. Then, the estimation unit 106 performs a process for each of the plurality of partial image data Dpimg to acquire the solar radiation data Dsra output from the learning model LM to which the one partial image data Dpimg has been input. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the estimation unit 106 estimates the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR during the period T1 based on the time-series amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR estimated based on the time-series partial image data Dpimg.

[0060] Next, in step S160, the processing device 100 functions as the identifying unit 108, and identifies a first region suitable for arranging the solar cell SC from the plurality of partial regions PAR based on the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR estimated in step S140. For example, in the present embodiment, the identifying unit 108 identifies a first region suitable for arranging the solar cell SC from the plurality of partial regions PAR based on the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR during the period T1 estimated in step S140.

[0061] Next, in step S180, the processing device 100 functions as the display control unit 109, and displays the first area identified in step S160 on the display device 180. This allows the user to easily recognize which part of the area SAR on the surface of the building BL is the partial area PAR suitable for arranging the solar cell SC.

[0062] As described above, in this embodiment, the amount of solar radiation in each partial region PAR of the building BL can be easily estimated based on the partial image data Dpimg corresponding to each partial region PAR, compared to when the amount of solar radiation is directly measured using a solar radiation measuring device or the like. As a result, in this embodiment, a first region suitable for arranging the solar cell SC can be easily identified. Here, for example, in solar cells that use perovskite-based materials (so-called perovskite solar cells), restrictions on the installation location of the solar cell are relaxed, so it is desirable to be able to easily estimate the amount of solar radiation on the side surface of the building BL, etc., which is difficult to measure using a solar radiation measuring device. In this embodiment, as described above, the amount of solar radiation on the side surface of the building BL, etc., can also be easily estimated based on the partial image data Dpimg.

[0063] The operation of the placement assistance device 10 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 6. For example, the processing of step S180 may be omitted. In this case, information indicating the first region identified in step S160, i.e., the partial region PAR suitable for placement of the solar cell SC, may be stored in the storage device 120. For example, the information indicating the partial region PAR suitable for placement of the solar cell SC may be displayed on the display device 180 in response to an operation by the user at any timing.

[0064] As described above, in this embodiment, the solar cell SC placement assistance device 10 includes a determination unit 104, an estimation unit 106, and an identification unit 108. The determination unit 104 determines a plurality of partial image data Dpimg that correspond one-to-one to a plurality of partial regions PAR into which an area SAR on the surface of the building BL is divided, based on a plurality of image data Dimg obtained by capturing images of the building BL from a plurality of different imaging positions P. The estimation unit 106 estimates the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR based on the partial image data Dpimg that corresponds to the partial region PAR among the plurality of partial image data Dpimg. The identification unit 108 identifies a first region suitable for placement of the solar cell SC from the plurality of partial regions PAR, based on the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR estimated by the estimation unit 106.

[0065] As described above, in this embodiment, the amount of solar radiation in each partial area PAR of the building BL is estimated based on a plurality of partial image data Dpimg, which are based on a plurality of image data Dimg obtained by capturing images of the building BL from a plurality of imaging positions P. That is, in this embodiment, the amount of solar radiation in each partial area PAR of the building BL can be easily estimated based on the partial image data Dpimg corresponding to each partial area PAR, without directly measuring the amount of solar radiation using a solar radiation measuring device or the like. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily identify a first area suitable for arranging the solar cell SC. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily predict the amount of power generated by the solar cell SC when it is placed in the first area, based on the amount of solar radiation estimated by the estimation unit 106 for the partial area PAR identified as the first area.

[0066] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of image data Dimg is obtained by capturing images of the building BL in a time series. Each of the plurality of partial image data Dpimg is time-series data. The estimation unit 106 estimates the time-series amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR based on the time-series partial image data Dpimg corresponding to the partial region PAR. The estimation unit 106 then estimates the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR during a period T1 based on the time-series amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR estimated based on the time-series partial image data Dpimg. The identification unit 108 identifies a first region from the plurality of partial regions PAR based on the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR during a period T1 estimated by the estimation unit 106.

[0067] As described above, in this embodiment, the first region suitable for arranging the solar cell SC is identified based on the amount of solar radiation in the period T1 of each partial region PAR estimated by the estimation unit 106. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first region can be identified more appropriately than when the first region is identified based only on the amount of solar radiation at one time.

[0068] In this embodiment, the estimation unit 106 inputs at least each of the plurality of partial image data Dpimg into a learning model LM related to the amount of solar radiation on a building, and thereby acquires solar radiation amount data Dsra indicating the amount of solar radiation corresponding to each of the plurality of partial image data Dpimg output from the learning model LM. In this way, in this embodiment, by using the learning model LM, the amount of solar radiation for a plurality of partial regions PAR can be easily estimated from the plurality of partial image data Dpimg.

[0069] Moreover, in this embodiment, the placement assistance device 10 further includes an acquisition unit 102 that acquires a plurality of image data Dimg via the communication device 140, and a display control unit 109 that displays the first area identified by the identification unit 108 on the display device 180. This allows the user to easily recognize which part of the area SAR on the surface of the building BL is a partial area PAR that is suitable for placing the solar cell SC. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the plurality of image data Dimg is acquired via the communication device 140, it is possible to prevent the work of acquiring the plurality of image data Dimg from becoming complicated.

[0070] [2. Modifications] The present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. Specific modified embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments selected arbitrarily from the following examples may be combined.

[0071] [First Modification] In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a first region suitable for arranging the solar cell SC is identified from the plurality of partial regions PAR based on the amount of solar radiation in each of the plurality of partial regions PAR during the period T1, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the identification unit 108 may identify a first region from the plurality of partial regions PAR based on the annual amount of solar radiation in each of the plurality of partial regions PAR.

[0072] In this modification, for example, the estimation unit 106 estimates the annual amount of solar radiation for each partial area PAR based on the positional relationship between each partial area PAR of the building BL and the sun on the day of imaging, and the amount of solar radiation for each partial area PAR during period T1 estimated based on the amount of solar radiation over time. The positional relationship between each partial area PAR and the sun on the day of imaging may be, for example, the positional relationship between each partial area PAR and the sun at a specific time on the day of imaging, or the positional relationship between each partial area PAR and the sun at multiple times on the day of imaging. Furthermore, the positional relationship between each partial area PAR and the sun may, for example, be the direction in which the sun is positioned relative to the front of each partial area PAR. The positional relationship between each partial area PAR of the building BL and the sun on the day of imaging is determined based on, for example, the position of the building BL (e.g., latitude and longitude), the normal direction of each partial area PAR, and the date of imaging.

[0073] For example, the estimation unit 106 estimates the annual amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR based on the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR in a period T1 estimated based on the amount of solar radiation over time, the position of the building BL, and the normal direction of each of the plurality of partial regions PAR. Then, the identification unit 108 identifies a first region suitable for arranging the solar cell SC from the plurality of partial regions PAR based on the annual amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions PAR estimated by the estimation unit 106.

[0074] As described above, in this modification, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, in this modification, the first region suitable for arranging the solar cells SC is identified based on the annual amount of solar radiation of each partial region PAR, so that the first region can be identified more appropriately than when the first region is identified based on the amount of solar radiation for a period shorter than a year (for example, period T1).

[0075] [Second Modification] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, each image data Dimg may be converted into corrected image data that represents an image of the surface of the building BL viewed from the front.

[0076] For example, an area SAR on the surface of a building BL is divided into a plurality of imaging areas based on a plurality of imaging positions P. Each of the plurality of partial areas PAR is included in one of the plurality of imaging areas. In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of areas SAR1, SAR2, SAR3, SAR4, and SAR5 correspond to the plurality of imaging areas.

[0077] The determination unit 104 converts each of the plurality of image data Dimg into corrected image data that indicates an image of each of the plurality of imaging regions (regions SAR1, SAR2, SAR3, SAR4, and SAR5) viewed from the front, based on the plurality of imaging positions P and the positions of the building BL. Then, the determination unit 104 determines a plurality of partial image data Dpimg based on the corrected image data obtained by converting each of the plurality of image data Dimg. Note that the method for converting the image data Dimg into corrected image data is not particularly limited, and known methods such as keystone correction, which converts a trapezoidal image into a rectangular image, can be used.

[0078] As described above, this modification can also achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiment and modification. Furthermore, in this modification, multiple partial areas PAR are determined based on an image of the area SAR on the surface of the building BL viewed from the front direction, so that the multiple partial areas PAR can be determined appropriately. As a result, in this modification, a first area suitable for arranging the solar cell SC is identified from the multiple appropriately determined partial areas PAR. As a result, in this modification, the first area can be identified appropriately.

[0079] [Third Modification] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, at least one of the brightness and saturation indicated by the image of the building may be included in the explanatory variables of the learning model LM.

[0080] For example, in this modified example, the learning model LM has already learned the relationship between explanatory variables including at least one of the brightness and saturation of the building image and image data showing the building image in RGB values ​​for each pixel, and the amount of solar radiation.

[0081] The estimation unit 106 determines at least one of the lightness and the saturation for the image indicated by each of the plurality of partial image data Dpimg (i.e., the image of the partial region PAR). For example, the lightness of the image of the partial region PAR is the lightness that represents the image of the partial region PAR, and the saturation of the image of the partial region PAR is the saturation that represents the image of the partial region PAR. The lightness that represents the image of the partial region PAR may be, for example, a lightness calculated based on the RGB value of a specific pixel in the image of the partial region PAR, or may be the average of multiple lightnesses calculated based on the RGB values ​​of multiple pixels in the image of the partial region PAR. Similarly, the saturation that represents the image of the partial region PAR may be a saturation calculated based on the RGB value of a specific pixel in the image of the partial region PAR, or may be the average of multiple saturations calculated based on the RGB values ​​of multiple pixels in the image of the partial region PAR. The lightness and saturation of the image of the partial region PAR indicated by the partial image data Dpimg are also referred to as the lightness and saturation corresponding to the partial image data Dpimg, respectively.

[0082] In addition, the estimation unit 106 obtains solar radiation amount data Dsra indicating the amount of solar radiation corresponding to one partial image data Dpimg output from the learning model LM by inputting input data including one partial image data Dpimg of the multiple partial image data Dpimg and at least one of the lightness and saturation corresponding to the one partial image data Dpimg into the learning model LM.

[0083] As described above, this modification can also achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiment and modification. Furthermore, in this modification, in addition to the RGB values ​​of the building image, at least one of the brightness and saturation of the building image is used as an explanatory variable of the learning model LM, so that it is expected that the accuracy of estimating the amount of solar radiation using the learning model LM will improve.

[0084] [Fourth Modification] In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the solar radiation amount is estimated using the learning model LM, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the estimation unit 106 may estimate the solar radiation amount of each partial region PAR without using the learning model LM. Specifically, the solar radiation amount of each partial region PAR may be estimated based on at least one of the brightness and saturation of the image of each partial region PAR indicated by each partial image data Dpimg.

[0085] As described above, this modification can also achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiment and modification. Note that, in this modification, the accuracy of estimating the amount of solar radiation for each partial region PAR may be reduced compared to when the learning model LM is used, but the relative relationship between the amounts of solar radiation for the multiple partial regions PAR (such as the relationship between high and low amounts of solar radiation) can be estimated with some degree of accuracy. Therefore, in this modification, too, the first region identified from the multiple partial regions PAR based on the amount of solar radiation for each of the multiple partial regions PAR estimated by the estimation unit 106 is the partial region PAR suitable for arranging the solar cell SC.

[0086] [Fifth Modification] In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the image data Dimg and the partial image data Dpimg are time-series data, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the image data Dimg and the partial image data Dpimg may be data at a specific time. The specific time may be one or more times at which a trend such as high or low solar radiation over a day can be identified.

[0087] As described above, in this modification, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modification can be obtained.

[0088] [Sixth Modification] In the above-described embodiment and modification, the solar radiation of a specific partial region PAR among the multiple partial regions PAR of the building BL may be directly measured using a solar radiation measuring device or the like. The specific partial region PAR may be, for example, a location where solar radiation can be easily measured using a solar radiation measuring device or the like (e.g., the rooftop of the building BL). In this modification, for example, the estimation unit 106 may correct the estimated solar radiation of each partial region PAR based on the relationship between the estimated solar radiation of the specific partial region PAR and the measured solar radiation of the specific partial region PAR directly measured using a solar radiation measuring device or the like. For example, if the estimated solar radiation of the specific partial region PAR is 1.0 [kWh / m^2] and the measured solar radiation of the specific partial region PAR is 1.5 [kWh / m^2], the estimation unit 106 may correct the estimated solar radiation of each partial region PAR based on the error. Specifically, for example, the estimation unit 106 may add 0.5 [kWh / m^2] to the estimated value of the amount of solar radiation for each partial region PAR and estimate the amount of solar radiation for each partial region PAR.

[0089] As described above, this modification can also achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiment and modification. Furthermore, in this modification, the estimated value of the amount of solar radiation for each partial region PAR is corrected based on the measured value of the amount of solar radiation for the specific partial region PAR. Therefore, in this modification, even if a learning model LM is used before sufficient data for learning is available, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of the estimation of the amount of solar radiation for each partial region PAR. Note that the partial image data Dpimg indicating the specific partial region PAR and the measured value of the amount of solar radiation for the specific partial region PAR may be used for further learning of the learning model LM.

[0090] [3. Other] (1) In the above-described embodiment, storage device 120 is a recording medium readable by processing device 100, and ROM and RAM are exemplified. However, storage device 120 may be a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM), a register, a removable disk, a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, a database, a server, or any other suitable storage medium. Furthermore, the program may be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line. Furthermore, the program may be transmitted from a communications network via a telecommunications line.

[0091] (2) In the above-described embodiments, the described information, signals, etc. may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0092] (3) In the above-described embodiment, input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, a memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0093] (4) The order of the process procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. illustrated in the above-described embodiments may be rearranged unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0094] (5) Each function illustrated in Figure 2 and other drawings is realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are connected directly or indirectly (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. A functional block may also be realized by combining software with the single device or multiple devices.

[0095] Furthermore, the communication device 140 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 140 may be configured to include, for example, a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc., in order to realize at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD).

[0096] (6) The programs exemplified in the above-described embodiments should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., regardless of whether software is called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or by other names.

[0097] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0098] (7) In each of the foregoing embodiments, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0099] (8) The information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or corresponding other information.

[0100] (9) In the above-described embodiments, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof refers to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0101] (10) In the above embodiments, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0102] (11) As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc. Furthermore, a judgment can be made based on a value represented by a single bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (for example, comparison with a predetermined value).

[0103] (12) In the above embodiments, when "include," "including," and variations thereof are used, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, the term "or" used in this disclosure is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0104] (13) In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the nouns following these articles being plural.

[0105] (14) In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combined" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0106] (15) Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0107] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10...placement support device, 20...imaging device, 100...processing device, 102...acquisition unit, 104...determination unit, 106...estimation unit, 108...identification unit, 109...display control unit, 120...storage device, 140...communication device, 160...operation device, 180...display device, BL...building, LM...learning model, P1 to P5...imaging position, PAR...partial area, PR...control program, SAR1 to SAR5...area.

Claims

1. a determination unit that determines, based on a plurality of image data obtained by imaging a specific building from a plurality of different imaging positions, a plurality of partial image data that correspond one-to-one to a plurality of partial areas into which a surface area of ​​the specific building is divided; an estimation unit that estimates the amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions based on partial image data corresponding to the partial region among the plurality of partial image data; an identification unit that identifies a first region suitable for arranging a solar cell from among the plurality of partial regions based on the amount of solar radiation of each of the plurality of partial regions estimated by the estimation unit; and A solar cell placement support device comprising:

2. each of the plurality of image data is obtained by capturing images of the specific building in time series; each of the plurality of partial image data is time-series data; The estimation unit Estimating the time-series amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions based on the time-series partial image data corresponding to the partial region; estimating the amount of solar radiation for a specific period of time for each of the plurality of partial regions based on the amount of solar radiation over time for each of the plurality of partial regions estimated based on the time-series partial image data; The identification unit identifying the first area from the plurality of partial areas based on the amount of solar radiation in the specific period of time estimated by the estimation unit for each of the plurality of partial areas; The solar cell arrangement assistance device according to claim 1 .

3. each of the plurality of image data is obtained by capturing images of the specific building in time series; each of the plurality of partial image data is time-series data; The estimation unit Estimating the time-series amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions based on the time-series partial image data corresponding to the partial region; estimating the amount of solar radiation for a specific period of time for each of the plurality of partial regions based on the amount of solar radiation over time for each of the plurality of partial regions estimated based on the time-series partial image data; estimating an annual amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions based on the amount of solar radiation for a specific period for each of the plurality of partial regions estimated based on the time-series amount of solar radiation, the position of the specific building, and a normal direction for each of the plurality of partial regions; The identification unit identifying the first area from the plurality of partial areas based on the annual amount of solar radiation of each of the plurality of partial areas estimated by the estimation unit; The solar cell arrangement assistance device according to claim 1 .

4. The surface area of ​​the specific building is divided into a plurality of imaging areas based on the plurality of imaging positions; each of the plurality of partial regions is included in one of the plurality of imaging regions; The determination unit converting each of the plurality of image data into corrected image data representing an image of each of the plurality of imaging areas viewed from a front direction based on the plurality of imaging positions and the position of the specific building; determining the plurality of partial image data based on the corrected image data obtained by converting each of the plurality of image data; The solar cell arrangement assistance device according to claim 1 .

5. The estimation unit inputting at least each of the plurality of partial image data into a learning model relating to the amount of solar radiation on a building, thereby acquiring data indicating the amount of solar radiation corresponding to each of the plurality of partial image data output from the learning model; The solar cell arrangement assistance device according to claim 1 .

6. the plurality of image data and the plurality of partial image data indicate RGB values ​​based on an RGB color space for each pixel; The learning model is The relationship between explanatory variables including at least one of brightness and saturation indicated by the image of the building and image data indicating the image of the building by RGB values ​​for each pixel and the amount of solar radiation has been learned, The estimation unit determining at least one of brightness and saturation for each of the images represented by the plurality of partial image data; inputting input data including one partial image data of the plurality of partial image data and at least one of lightness and saturation corresponding to the one partial image data into the learning model, thereby obtaining data indicating the amount of solar radiation corresponding to the one partial image data output from the learning model; The solar cell arrangement assistance device according to claim 5.

7. an acquisition unit that acquires the plurality of image data via a communication device; a display control unit that displays the first area identified by the identification unit on a display device; Further provided with The solar cell arrangement assistance device according to claim 1 .

8. determining a plurality of partial image data corresponding one-to-one to a plurality of partial areas into which a surface area of ​​the specific building is divided, based on a plurality of image data obtained by imaging the specific building from a plurality of different imaging positions; an amount of solar radiation for each of the plurality of partial regions is estimated based on partial image data corresponding to the partial region among the plurality of partial image data; identifying a first region suitable for arranging a solar cell from among the plurality of partial regions based on the amount of solar radiation of each of the plurality of partial regions estimated based on the partial image data; Solar cell placement assistance method.

Images