Solar Access Measurement Device Using 3D Ray Tracing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar access measurement systems require physical presence at the installation site, limiting their ability to determine solar radiation exposure without on-site measurement, especially in designing and installing solar energy systems.
Innovation Solution
A method using a Solar Access Measurement Device (SAMD) that generates 2D matrices to determine solar radiation exposure by analyzing elevation/azimuth pairs within a 3D CAD model, allowing for the prediction of sun paths and obstruction impacts on solar access without physical site visits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical solar access measurement devices are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the requirement for physical site presence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical environment using 3D CAD models, satellite imagery, and LiDAR data. This digital replica allows solar access measurements to be performed in the virtual model without requiring physical presence at the measurement location, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while eliminating the need for on-site device deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer system as an intermediary between the physical environment and the measurement process. The system processes 3D CAD models, satellite imagery, and LiDAR data to calculate solar access metrics, acting as a mediator that translates physical spatial relationships into measurable solar exposure data without requiring direct physical measurement at the site
2Measurement precision
If 3D CAD models with detailed obstruction data are used, then solar access prediction accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the solar access analysis into distinct computational components: generating 3D CAD models from satellite imagery and LiDAR data, calculating sun paths based on temporal parameters, determining obstruction impacts through ray tracing, and computing final solar exposure metrics. This segmentation allows complex data processing to be broken down into manageable, specialized computational tasks that can be executed efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing of spatial data by pre-generating 3D CAD models and pre-calculating obstruction geometries before solar access analysis. By preparing the digital environment and obstruction data in advance, the system reduces the computational burden during actual solar exposure calculations, managing complexity through staged data preparation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of determining solar radiation exposure are provided. A method may include tracing one or more rays from a first 3D coordinate to one or more additional 3D coordinates within a digital model representing one or more simulated locations of the sun within the digital model. The method may also include determining whether any of the rays of the one or more rays intersect an obstruction. Further, the method may include determining solar access associated with the first 3D coordinate based on the determination of whether any of the rays of the one or more rays intersect the obstruction.