Certain aspects pertain to a combination sensor comprising a set of physical sensors facing different directions proximate a structure, and configured to measure solar radiation in different directions. The combination sensor also comprises a virtual facade-aligned sensor configured to determine a combi-sensor value at a facade of the structure based on solar radiation readings from the set of physical sensors.

A wireless mesh network includes a group of nodes configured to predict cloud movements based on voltage time series data. A node residing in the wireless mesh network records voltage fluctuations at a site where solar power is generated. The voltage fluctuations occur when an advancing cloud reduces solar irradiance at the site, thereby reducing solar power generation. The node correlates these voltage fluctuations with other voltage fluctuations recorded by other nodes at other sites where solar power is generated. The node computes a time offset between these voltage fluctuations that corresponds to the time needed for the cloud to advance between the different sites. Based on this time offset and the locations of the various nodes, the node estimates a wind vector. The wind vector can be used to perform near-term solar forecasting by predicting when the cloud will advance to other sites and reduce solar power generation.

Operational specifications of a photovoltaic plant configuration can be inferred through evaluation of historical measured system production data and measured solar resource data. Based upon the location of the photovoltaic plant, a time-series power generation data set is simulated based on a normalized and preferably substantially linearly-scalable solar power simulation model. The simulation is run for a range of hypothetical photovoltaic system configurations. The simulation can be done probabilistically. A power rating is derived for each system configuration by comparison of the measured versus simulated production data, which is applied to scale up the simulated time-series data. The simulated energy production is statistically compared to actual historical data, and the system configuration reflecting the lowest overall error is identified as the inferred (and optimal) system configuration. Inferred configurations of photovoltaic plants in a photovoltaic fleet can be aggregated into a configuration of the fleet.

Operational specifications of a photovoltaic plant configuration can be inferred through evaluation of historical measured system production data and measured solar resource data. Based upon the location of the photovoltaic plant, a time-series power generation data set is simulated based on a normalized and preferably substantially linearly-scalable solar power simulation model. The simulation is run for a range of hypothetical photovoltaic system configurations. The simulation can be done probabilistically. A power rating is derived for each system configuration by comparison of the measured versus simulated production data, which is applied to scale up the simulated time-series data. The simulated energy production is statistically compared to actual historical data, and the system configuration reflecting the lowest overall error is identified as the inferred (and optimal) system configuration. Inferred configurations of photovoltaic plants in a photovoltaic fleet can be aggregated into a configuration of the fleet.

A method for identifying sunny and rainy moments by utilizing multiple characteristic quantities of high-frequency satellite-ground links is provided. The method may include the following steps of: extracting multiple characteristic quantities including standard deviation, trend, maximum value, minimum value, average value, skewness, kurtosis and information entropy; selecting an optimal time window through adjustment; and finally realizing the identification of the sunny and rainy moments by utilizing a classification algorithm. According to the method for identifying the sunny and rainy moments, sunny and rainy periods can be accurately distinguished by utilizing the signals of the high-frequency satellite-ground links, and real-time monitoring of large-range sunny and rainy distribution conditions is achieved.

A method for identifying sunny and rainy moments by utilizing multiple characteristic quantities of high-frequency satellite-ground links is provided. The method may include the following steps of: extracting multiple characteristic quantities including standard deviation, trend, maximum value, minimum value, average value, skewness, kurtosis and information entropy; selecting an optimal time window through adjustment; and finally realizing the identification of the sunny and rainy moments by utilizing a classification algorithm. According to the method for identifying the sunny and rainy moments, sunny and rainy periods can be accurately distinguished by utilizing the signals of the high-frequency satellite-ground links, and real-time monitoring of large-range sunny and rainy distribution conditions is achieved.

A pyranometer, comprises a thermal sensor, and a diffusing member positioned so as to be opposed to a receiving surface of the thermal sensor.

A pyranometer, comprises a thermal sensor, and a diffusing member positioned so as to be opposed to a receiving surface of the thermal sensor.

The present disclosure may include a method including obtaining historical irradiance data for each of a first and second locations, each of the first and the second locations including first and second solar power generating devices respectively, and forecasting irradiance at the first and the second locations as a first and a second forecast respectively. The method may also include determining a first and a second confidence interval of the first and the second forecasts respectively, the first and the second confidence interval based on the first historical irradiance data and the first forecast and the second historical irradiance data and the second forecast respectively, and modeling covariance between the first and the second confidence intervals. Based on the modeled covariance, the method may include developing an aggregated forecast of irradiance, and sending a message to a device to modify power generation.

A photovoltaic system's configuration specification can be inferred by an evaluative process that searches through a space of candidate values for the variables in the specification. Each variable is selected in a specific ordering that narrows the field of candidate values. A constant horizon is assumed to account for diffuse irradiance insensitive to specific obstruction locations relative to the photovoltaic system's geographic location. Initial values for the azimuth angle, constant horizon obstruction elevation angle, and tilt angle are determined, followed by final values for these variables. The effects of direct obstructions that block direct irradiance in the areas where the actual horizon and the range of sun path values overlap relative to the geographic location are evaluated to find the exact obstruction elevation angle over a range of azimuth bins or directions. The photovoltaic temperature response coefficient and the inverter rating or power curve of the photovoltaic system are determined.