A method for testing a photovoltaic (PV) module having an integrated power converter includes: obtaining a reference output signature of a PV module design in response to a flash pattern; applying the flash pattern to a PV module under test; acquiring an observed output signature of the PV module under test in response to the flash pattern; and comparing the observed output signature of the PV module under test to the reference output signature. Second reference output and observed output signatures may be obtained in response to a second flash pattern. The output signatures may be combined using various techniques. One or more parameters of the integrated power converter may be preset to one or more predetermined states prior to applying a flash pattern.

A method and device for real-time measuring sunlight on buildings,comprises: receiving training satellite images of training buildings, analyzing training satellite image features, extracting training building outline information, training building height information and training information of profile sunlight map sequence of corresponding continuous height; according to the preset training latitude and longitude range, obtaining the corresponding training building outline information, training building height information and training information of profile sunlight map sequence of corresponding continuous height; and training to obtain a sunlight testing model; receiving target location information of the cadastral land parcel to be measured, obtaining corresponding target latitude and longitude according to the target location information; receiving target building outline information and target building height difference information of the cadastral land parcel to be measured, and obtaining a sequence of sunlight maps of the buildings within cadastral land parcel according to the sunlight testing model.

A system incorporating a camera sensor situated in a room having walls with windows and sun blinds. The sun blinds may control outdoor light to the room. Indoor light sources may provide artificial light in the room. A controller may receive signals from the camera sensor. The controller may estimate a presence of occupants and provide control signals to the sun blinds and light sources. A room temperature sensor and an HVAC system may be connected to the controller. A preset temperature, which may depend on occupancy, in the room or zone may be achieved with various kinds of heating or cooling. At the same time, outdoor light and indoor artificial light may be controlled to obtain a preset intensity of lighting in the room, which may depend on occupancy, in a manner to achieve a minimum cost of energy used by the HVAC and the light sources.

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.

Described herein are technologies pertaining to computing the solar irradiance distribution on a surface of a receiver in a concentrating solar power system or glint/glare emitted from a reflective entity. At least one camera captures images of the Sun and the entity of interest, wherein the images have pluralities of pixels having respective pluralities of intensity values. Based upon the intensity values of the pixels in the respective images, the solar irradiance distribution on the surface of the entity or glint/glare corresponding to the entity is computed.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling transitions in an optically switchable device. In one aspect, a controller for a tintable window may include a processor, an input for receiving output signals from sensors, and instructions for causing the processor to determine a level of tint of the tintable window, and an output for controlling the level of tint in the tintable window. The instructions may include a relationship between the received output signals and the level of tint, with the relationship employing output signals from an exterior photosensor, an interior photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, and a transmissivity sensor. In some instances, the controller may receive output signals over a network and/or be interfaced with a network, and in some instances, the controller may be a standalone controller that is not interfaced with a network.

The computer system and computer-implemented method of generating and providing skin care product recommendations to a subject, wherein the method comprises determining, by a computing device, a UV-B exposure of the subject; determining, by the computing device, a vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure; determining, by the computing device, a target vitamin D of the subject; and providing, by the computing device, a skin care product recommendation to the subject when the vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure is less than the vitamin D target of the subject.

A field spectral radiometer includes a support structure and a remote sensing head disposed on the support structure. The remote sensing head includes a central axis, a first optical element disposed on a first side of the central axis and defining a first optical path for a first optical channel, and a second optical element disposed on a second side of the central axis and defining second optical path for a second optical channel. An instrumentation assembly disposed on the support structure. the instrumentation assembly includes a first detection path associated with the first optical channel and a second detection path associated with the second optical channel, the first and second detection path include optical indexers for manipulating the first and second optical channels. The field spectral radiometer may include a calibration assembly disposed on the base. The calibration assembly may include a calibrating light source for calibrating the remote sensing head.

A measurement device which enables to determine the optimum angle values and orientations of collectors/cells and which enables to measure both direct radiation and diffuse radiation, essentially includes a main body; a solar cell which generates current from solar energy; an actuation mechanism which is adapted to move the solar cell in horizontal and vertical axis; an upper cover which prevents the sun beams reaching the solar cell by covering the upper part of the main body; a second cover on each one of the lateral walls of the upper cover; a current detector which measures the current generated by the solar cell, a control unit which includes a processing unit adapted to generate angle signals that will move the first motor and second motor and determine the optimum angle values according to current information corresponding to the angle signals and the angle information corresponding to the current information.

One embodiment provides a pyranometer, including: a pyranometer housing; and at least one radiation sensor; wherein the at least one radiation sensor is electrically isolated from the pyranometer housing and thermally coupled to the pyranometer housing by at least one supporting element, wherein the supporting element is connected to the pyranometer housing and is configured to support the at least one radiation sensor. Other aspects are described and claimed.