A device comprises a platform constructed and arranged to be mounted to one or more solar array modules and one or more solar irradiance sensors on the platform configured to receive incident solar energy, the one or more solar irradiance sensors oriented on the platform so that the received incident solar energy is comparable to that received by the solar array modules, the one or more solar irradiance sensors providing solar irradiance signals in response to the incident solar energy. A processor is on the platform, the processor configured to receive the solar irradiance signals and, in response, generating a performance reference metric based on the solar irradiance signals, the performance reference metric related to the expected performance of the one or more solar array modules to which the platform is mounted. A transmitter is on the platform, the transmitter configured to periodically transmit the performance reference metric to a receiver.

A rotating shadowband for shading a pyranometer includes a cylindrical ring and a semicircular shadowband held within the cylindrical ring, a motor configured for rotating the shadowband, at least one solar panel, a rechargeable battery, and a controller having circuitry configured to power the first motor to rotate the semicircular shadowband. The semicircular shadowband may include a window opening, wherein the window opening substantially extends from a center of the band to a first end. The controller rotates the shadowband 0 to 360 degrees about the central axis of the cylindrical ring to alternately shade the pyranometer for making diffuse radiation measurements and expose the pyranometer to direct solar radiation for making global radiation measurements. Alternatively, the shadowband may be solid and rotate pivotally 0 to 180 degrees or 0 to 360 degrees within the cylindrical ring to alternately shade and expose a pyranometer head to and from direct sunlight respectively.

The present disclosure disclosures a sensor and a control method of the sensor. The sensor may include a protective housing, an optical component, a control component, an interface component, and a circuit board mounted within the protective housing. The circuit board may include a plurality of detection components, including a photosensitive detection component and a tilt angle detection component. The control method of the sensor may include determining whether the photovoltaic module operates in an angle detection range of the photosensitive detection component, and determining whether an actuation condition of the photosensitive detection component is satisfied. In response to a determination that the actuation condition of the photosensitive detection component is satisfied, the photosensitive detection component may be actuated. In response to a determination that the actuation condition of the photosensitive detection component is not satisfied, the tilt angle detection component may be actuated.

One embodiment provides a pyranometer, including: a dome enclosing a cavity; at least one light emitting source arranged such that light exterior to the dome does not directly impinge on the at least one light emitting source; a diffusor; wherein the at least one light emitting source is configured to emit light substantially directed to a portion of the diffusor, and wherein the diffusor is configured to diffuse the light emitted from the at least one light emitting source on an inner surface of the dome; and one or more first light detecting sensors arranged in the cavity and configured to measure an intensity of the light reflected from the dome and impinging on the one or more first light detecting sensors. Other aspects are described and claimed.

A pyranometer is provided which can measure the precise amount of solar radiation/solar irradiance continuously and stably while suppressing the generation of dew or frost by a simple configuration even in changing external environment. A pyranometer includes: a housing having an opening, and having thermal conductivity; a dome provided at the opening, and having light transmittance; a sensor part provided in an internal space formed by the housing and the dome, and for measuring an intensity of a sunlight made incident through the dome; and a heat generating element provided heat conductably to a part of the housing, opposite to the opening across the internal space.

A pyranometer is provided which can measure the precise amount of solar radiation/solar irradiance continuously and stably while suppressing the generation of dew or frost by a simple configuration even in changing external environment. A pyranometer includes: a housing having an opening, and having thermal conductivity; a dome provided at the opening, and having light transmittance; a sensor part provided in an internal space formed by the housing and the dome, and for measuring an intensity of a sunlight made incident through the dome; and a heat generating element provided heat conductably to a part of the housing, opposite to the opening across the internal space.

A solar irradiance intensity estimation apparatus has an estimation model generation unit that generates estimation models of solar radiation intensities at a plurality of observation points based on observed cloud state data and solar radiation intensities observed at the plurality of observation points, an estimation model interpolation unit that generates an estimation model of a solar irradiance intensity at a target point based on the estimation models of solar radiation intensities at the plurality of observation points, and a solar irradiance intensity estimation unit that estimates a solar irradiance intensity at the target point based on a reflection intensity at the target point obtained from the cloud state data and the estimation model of a solar irradiance intensity at the target point.

A device comprises a platform constructed and arranged to be mounted to one or more solar array modules and one or more solar irradiance sensors on the platform configured to receive incident solar energy, the one or more solar irradiance sensors oriented on the platform so that the received incident solar energy is comparable to that received by the solar array modules, the one or more solar irradiance sensors providing solar irradiance signals in response to the incident solar energy. A processor is on the platform, the processor configured to receive the solar irradiance signals and, in response, generating a performance reference metric based on the solar irradiance signals, the performance reference metric related to the expected performance of the one or more solar array modules to which the platform is mounted. A transmitter is on the platform, the transmitter configured to periodically transmit the performance reference metric to a receiver.

A device comprises a platform constructed and arranged to be mounted to one or more solar array modules and one or more solar irradiance sensors on the platform configured to receive incident solar energy, the one or more solar irradiance sensors oriented on the platform so that the received incident solar energy is comparable to that received by the solar array modules, the one or more solar irradiance sensors providing solar irradiance signals in response to the incident solar energy. A processor is on the platform, the processor configured to receive the solar irradiance signals and, in response, generating a performance reference metric based on the solar irradiance signals, the performance reference metric related to the expected performance of the one or more solar array modules to which the platform is mounted. A transmitter is on the platform, the transmitter configured to periodically transmit the performance reference metric to a receiver.

A method of predicting the intensity of sun light irradiating the ground. At least two input images are provided of a time series of images captured from the sky; a plurality of image features are extracted from the at least two input images; a set of meta data associated with the at least two input images are determined; the image features and the meta data are supplied as input data to a neural network; and neural network operations predict the future intensity of the sun light as a function of the input data. Further, a data processing unit and a computer program for controlling or carrying out the described method are described, as well as an electric power system with such a data processing unit.