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Determination of the optimal camera distance for cloud height measurements with two all-sky imagers

Kuhn, Pascal Moritz and Nouri, Bijan and Wilbert, Stefan and Hanrieder, Natalie and Prahl, Christoph and Ramirez-Santigosa, Lourdes and Zarzalejo, L.F. and Schmidt, Thomas and Yasser, Zeyad and Heinemann, Detlev and Tzoumanikas, Panagiotis and Kazantzidis, A. and Kleissl, J. and Blanc, Philippe and Pitz-Paal, Robert (2019) Determination of the optimal camera distance for cloud height measurements with two all-sky imagers. Solar Energy, 179, pp. 74-88. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2018.12.038. ISSN 0038-092X.

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Official URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038092X18312131

Abstract

All-sky imager based systems can be used to measure a number of cloud properties. Configurations consisting of two all-sky imagers can be used to derive cloud heights for weather stations, aviation and nowcasting of solar irradiance. One key question for such systems is the optimal distance between the all-sky imagers. This problem has not been studied conclusively in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, no previous in-field study of the optimal camera distance was performed. Also, comprehensive modeling is lacking. Here, we address this question with an in-field study on 93 days using 7 camera distances between 494 m and 2562 m and one specific cloud height estimation approach. We model the findings and draw conclusions for various configurations with different algorithmic methods and camera hardware. The camera distance is found to have a major impact on the accuracy of cloud height determinations. For the used 3 megapixel cameras, cloud heights up to 12,000 m and the used algorithmic approaches, an optimal camera distance of approximately 1500 m is determined. Optimal camera distances can be reduced to less than 1000 m if higher camera resolutions (e.g. 6 megapixel) are deployed. A step-by-step guide to determine the optimal camera distance is provided.

Item URL in elib:https://elib.dlr.de/125638/
Document Type:Article
Title:Determination of the optimal camera distance for cloud height measurements with two all-sky imagers
Authors:
AuthorsInstitution or Email of AuthorsAuthor's ORCID iDORCID Put Code
Kuhn, Pascal MoritzUNSPECIFIEDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9978-5706UNSPECIFIED
Nouri, BijanUNSPECIFIEDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9891-1974UNSPECIFIED
Wilbert, StefanUNSPECIFIEDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3573-3004UNSPECIFIED
Hanrieder, NatalieUNSPECIFIEDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9671-351X141971427
Prahl, ChristophUNSPECIFIEDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8596-9050UNSPECIFIED
Ramirez-Santigosa, LourdesCIEMATUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Zarzalejo, L.F.CIEMATUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Schmidt, ThomasUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Yasser, ZeyadTSK-Flagsol GmBHUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Heinemann, DetlevUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Tzoumanikas, PanagiotisLab. of Atmosph. Physics, Uni Patras, GreeceUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Kazantzidis, A.Univ. of Patras, Patras, GRUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Kleissl, J.University of CalifroniaUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Blanc, PhilippeMines ParisTechUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Pitz-Paal, RobertUNSPECIFIEDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3542-3391UNSPECIFIED
Date:February 2019
Journal or Publication Title:Solar Energy
Refereed publication:Yes
Open Access:Yes
Gold Open Access:No
In SCOPUS:Yes
In ISI Web of Science:Yes
Volume:179
DOI:10.1016/j.solener.2018.12.038
Page Range:pp. 74-88
Publisher:Elsevier
Series Name:ElServier
ISSN:0038-092X
Status:Published
Keywords:All-sky imagers; Cloud height measurements; Solar nowcasting
HGF - Research field:Energy
HGF - Program:Renewable Energies
HGF - Program Themes:Concentrating Solar Thermal Technology
DLR - Research area:Energy
DLR - Program:E SW - Solar and Wind Energy
DLR - Research theme (Project):E - Impact of Desert Environment (old), E - Systems Analysis and Technology Assessment (old)
Location: Köln-Porz
Institutes and Institutions:Institute of Solar Research > Qualification
Institute of Networked Energy Systems > Energy Systems Analysis
Deposited By: Kruschinski, Anja
Deposited On:08 Jan 2019 13:02
Last Modified:31 Oct 2023 15:04

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