Welcome, dear readers, to yet another intriguing discussion on the vast world of solar! Continuing my journey as a solar enthusiast and expert, today I’ll be shedding some light on an innovative model developed by research scientists at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM). This technology has the potential to be a game-changer, not just for solar companies but for anyone considering solar panels for their home.
The research team at UPM has created a unique model to simulate and predict the impact of certain environmental factors, like buildings and objects, on the performance of vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV). In simpler terms, this model can predict how much solar power your car’s solar array can generate in a typical urban setting, accounting for shadows cast by towering buildings or street-level objects.
The research’s pioneering stance lies in the fact that it computes the direct and diffuse solar irradiance on a vehicle’s solar panel surface without the use of any external measuring equipment. This feat was achieved using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) equipment, irradiance sensors, and all-sky panoramic imaging. Talk about a solar company revolutionizing the way we harness solar energy!
A fascinating part of this research involved using LiDAR data to create jaw-droppingly accurate virtual representations of urban scenes. With careful computation, the research team was able to develop complex algorithms that could estimate each irradiance component. As a result, the model could accurately predict how much solar energy a solar panel on your car can produce, depending on its location and the time of day.
The practical application of the model involved a static vehicle parked near the UPM laboratory. This vehicle was equipped with a high-tech setup comprising a fisheye camera and a sensor to measure hard-to-capture metrics like the irradiance at different points on the vehicle. Throughout the day, measurements were taken every minute, with a weather station installed in the vicinity providing additional data.
The results from the experiment were quite astounding. The model accurately predicted the shadows cast by buildings. It showed that the reflection on buildings was practically identical to the irradiance from the sky. This promising result has implications for the abundance of underutilized solar resources in urban environments.
To make this even more exciting, the researchers believe there is potential to refine and extend this model to vehicles in motion. Picture this: your daily commute or road trips generating ample solar energy to power not just your vehicle, but potentially your home as well.
In conclusion, this research has a profound impact on the future of the solar industry. The potential applications extend beyond the imagination, stimulating ideas for solar panels for your home or other technologies that might make use of this prediction model.
This is yet another step in the right direction for the progression of solar, and I cannot wait to see where it leads. As an advocate for solar, it’s always heartening to witness such progress in the field, sparking new possibilities for solar companies and individuals alike. Stay tuned for the next turn in our solar journey!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/10/01/new-model-for-diffuse-shadow-effects-on-vehicle-integrated-photovoltaics/
