Image analysis and estimation of rooftop solar exposure via solar ray mapping
US11210514B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 2020 |
| Grant date | Dec 28, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J2001/4276
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solar irradiation assessment system may automate several design parameters of solar panel design, cost and payoff estimations, and installation. The system models a structure and surrounding obstacles in a three-dimensional space. The system maps ray paths between each of a plurality of locations on a roof of a structure and modeled locations of the sun at various time intervals during a selected time period to determine the solar irradiance at various locations. Obstacles modeled in three-dimensional space that block the ray-paths during some or all of the various time intervals result in decreased solar irradiance values for the affected locations on the roof. A visual model of the roof may be shown with a heatmap of irradiance values and/or a graphical placement of solar panels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.