Method and system for determining solar access of a structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar access measurement systems are limited by their complexity, accuracy, and safety concerns, often requiring on-site manual measurements and expensive equipment, and struggle with accurately accounting for shading and obstructions in real-world field conditions.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based system that utilizes geo-referenced images and point cloud data to create three-dimensional models of structures and surrounding objects, automatically calculating solar access values by dividing structures into sections, determining irradiance, and modeling the interaction of solar rays with obstructions to provide precise solar access reports without the need for on-site visits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated software systems are used to create 3D models and calculate solar access, then productivity and accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses aerial images and LIDAR data to create digital copies (3D models) of the actual roof structure and surrounding environment. These digital models serve as virtual replicas that can be analyzed without physical site visits, enabling automated solar access calculations while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement systems with automated computational methods. Instead of physically measuring solar access with instruments on-site, the system uses computer algorithms to simulate solar radiation patterns based on 3D geographic models, substituting mechanical fieldwork with digital computation.
2Measurement precision
If manual field measurements are conducted with specialized devices, then measurement precision can be achieved, but safety risks and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces aerial imagery and LIDAR data as intermediary elements between the physical environment and the analysis process. These intermediaries capture accurate geometric and spatial information from the site without requiring analysts to be physically present, thereby maintaining measurement precision while eliminating safety risks associated with roof access.
3Measurement precision
If specialized electronic devices are deployed for shade analysis, then measurement accuracy is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multi-functional data sources that serve multiple purposes: aerial images provide both visual documentation and geometric information for 3D modeling, while LIDAR data simultaneously captures surface topology and object locations. This universal use of remote sensing data eliminates the need for specialized single-purpose measurement devices, reducing overall system cost.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed that automatically determine solar access values. In one implementation, a 3D geo-referenced model of a structure is retrieved in which geographic location on the earth of points in the 3D geo-referenced model are stored or associated with points in the 3D geo-referenced model. Object point cloud data indicative of object(s) that cast shade on the structure is retrieved. The object point cloud data may be generated from one or more georeferenced images and the object point cloud data is indicative of an actual size, shape, and location of the object(s) on the earth. The structure in the 3D geo-referenced model is divided into one or more sections, which are divided into one or more areas, each area having at least three vertices. Then, a solar access value for the particular vertex is determined.