JP5996349B2 - Sunlight evaluation system and computer program for sunlight evaluation - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sunshine evaluation system and a sunshine evaluation computer program for evaluating sunshine conditions.

When an installation such as a building or equipment is installed outdoors, it is important to evaluate the sunshine condition at the installation location of the installation. In particular, when installing a photovoltaic power generation panel as an installation, the sunshine hours and the like greatly affect the amount of power generation, and therefore it is a principle to install the solar panels in a place where the sunshine hours can be as long as possible.
As a sunshine evaluation system for supporting the evaluation of such a sunshine state, there is conventionally known a system that uses a sky fisheye image obtained by imaging the sky through a fisheye lens (Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document). 1).

  The sunshine evaluation system described in Patent Document 1 is a sky fisheye in which a non-sunshine area where there is a sunshine obstacle such as a building and where sunshine is restricted and a sunshine area where the sunshine is not restricted but not the non-sunshine area are imaged. The sun trajectory is superimposed on the image and displayed. The sunshine duration at the imaging point of the sky fisheye image is grasped from the overlapping state of the solar trajectory thus displayed and the sunshine region. Furthermore, the position where the position indicating the sun direction is moved symmetrically with respect to the center of the sky fisheye image indicates the incident direction of the reflected light from the surrounding building etc. with respect to the same imaging point. By displaying the incident direction on the sky fisheye image, the time zone in which the reflected light is incident is grasped.

  The sunshine evaluation system described in Non-Patent Document 1 uses a sky fisheye image captured at a point where a photovoltaic power generation panel is installed to grasp the sunshine duration for the photovoltaic power generation panel. Furthermore, the power generation state such as the annual power generation amount in the solar power generation panel is evaluated from the sunshine time and the attitude state of the solar power generation panel, that is, the azimuth angle and the inclination angle.

Also, a method for automatically determining a non-sunshine area and a sunshine area based on the digital value of RGB luminance of each pixel in such a sky image is known (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2).
If such an automatic sunshine region determination method is employed in the above-described sunshine evaluation system, whether or not the solar direction trajectory is superimposed on the sky image and whether or not the direct sunlight direction overlaps the sunshine region. By displaying the direct sunlight attribute in an identifiable state, it is possible to assist the user in identifying the direct sunlight direction.

JP-A-9-189603

“Guidelines for Photovoltaic Field Testing [Design and Construction / System]”, New Energy Technology Development Department, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, March 19, 2010, pages 66-80 Megumi Yamashita and one other, "Development of sky condition observation method using all-sky camera", Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Japanese Society of Photogrammetry, November 1, 2008, Vol. 47, No. 2, 50-59 page

The sky fisheye image used in the sunshine evaluation system displays the contours of sunshine obstacles such as surrounding buildings in a curved state different from the actual landscape. It was necessary to have experience and habituation to visually identify them.
On the other hand, the automatic determination by the sunshine region determination means is based on the state value of the sky image such as the digital value of RGB luminance of each pixel, so that the sunshine disturbance is displayed with substantially the same state value as the actual sunshine region. In some cases, the object was erroneously determined to be in the sunshine region.
As described above, when an erroneous determination is included in the automatic determination result of the sunshine region determination means, the direct sunlight attribute is displayed differently from the actual in the solar direction trajectory displayed in the sky fisheye image. However, there is a problem that users who are not familiar with fish-eye images are not aware of the error and leave it alone.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a point, and its purpose is to identify the direct sunlight attribute of whether or not the solar trajectory is in the direct sunlight direction overlapping the sunshine area automatically determined. In the sunshine evaluation system for supporting the evaluation of the sunshine state by displaying it on the display screen superimposed on the sky image, even if the result of automatic determination of the sunshine area is wrong, The object is to provide a technique capable of appropriately recognizing the erroneous determination and easily correcting it.

The sunshine evaluation system according to the present invention for achieving this object is as follows:
Image input means for receiving input of a sky image obtained by imaging the sky;
Image display means for displaying the sky image on a display screen;
In the sky image, a sunshine area determination means for automatically determining a non-sunshine area where a sunshine obstacle exists and sunshine is restricted and a sunshine area that is not the non-sunshine area based on the state value of the sky image;
The trajectory of the sun direction stored in advance is displayed on the display screen so as to be superposed on the sky image in a state in which the direct sunlight attribute indicating whether or not the direct sunlight direction overlaps the sunlight region can be identified. A sunshine evaluation system comprising solar direction trajectory display means,
The first characteristic configuration is
The image input means accepts an input of a sky fisheye image obtained by imaging the sky through a fisheye lens,
Image conversion means for generating a sky panorama image by panorama converting the sky fisheye image;
The image display means displays the sky panoramic image on the display screen;
The sun direction trajectory display means displays the trajectory in the sun direction superimposed on the sky panoramic image,
The solar light direct attribute correction means capable of manually correcting the direct sunlight attribute for the solar direction selected on the display screen is provided.

According to the first characteristic configuration, the sky fisheye image received by the image input unit is panorama converted by the image conversion unit to generate a sky panorama image, and the sky panorama image is generated by the image display screen. The image is displayed on the display screen. In the sky panorama image displayed on this display screen, the solar direction trajectory display means has a solar direction trajectory stored in advance in the direct sunlight direction that overlaps the sunshine area automatically determined by the sunshine area determination means. Overlaid and displayed in a state where the direct sunlight attribute of whether or not there is identifiable.
Therefore, even users who are not familiar with fish-eye images can check the sky panorama image in which sunshine obstacles such as surrounding buildings and trees are represented almost the same as the actual scenery, and the result of automatic determination of the sunshine area It is possible to easily recognize whether or not there is an erroneous determination.
Furthermore, since the user can manually correct the direct sunlight attribute for the selected solar direction by the solar direct attribute correction means after selecting the solar direction considered to be erroneously determined, An accurate direct sunlight attribute is identified in a trajectory in the sun direction displayed superimposed on the sky panorama image on the display screen.
Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a sunshine evaluation system in which even if the automatic determination result of the sunshine region is incorrect, the user can appropriately recognize the erroneous determination and easily correct it.

In addition to the first feature configuration, the second feature configuration of the sunshine evaluation system according to the present invention,
The solar direction trajectory display means displays the solar direction every unit time,
It has an individual selection mode in which the sun direction is individually selected on the sky image displayed on the display screen.

  According to the second characteristic configuration, when the solar direction trajectory display means displays the solar direction trajectory on the display screen, the solar direction is drawn for each unit time, and the solar direction at each time is drawn with a predetermined mark. It is displayed in the form. Therefore, in manually correcting the direct sunlight attribute of whether or not the direct sunlight attribute correction means by the solar direct attribute correction means, the user individually selects the solar direction displayed for each unit time, The direct sunlight direct attribute of the selected solar direction can be individually corrected.

In addition to any of the first to second feature configurations, the third feature configuration of the sunshine evaluation system according to the present invention includes:
In the selection operation with respect to the sun direction on the sky image displayed on the display screen, there is a normal range designation mode in which a rectangular range including a horizontal side and a vertical side is designated and the range is selected.

  According to the third feature configuration, in the selection operation for selecting a trajectory in a specific sun direction by designating a range on the sky image displayed on the display screen, the normal range designation mode includes horizontal change and vertical It is possible to select a rectangular area including sides and select the area.

  In addition, the computer program for sunshine evaluation according to the present invention realizes each means included in the sunshine evaluation system having the first to third characteristic configurations on a computer as described in claim 4 in the claims. According to such a configuration, the sunshine evaluation system having the first to third characteristic configurations can be realized on the computer by installing the computer program on a predetermined computer. it can.

Schematic configuration diagram of sunshine evaluation system Explanatory drawing explaining the position of the specific point in the hemisphere assumed on a horizontal surface rather than an imaging position Explanatory drawing explaining the position of the specific point in a sky fisheye image Explanatory drawing explaining the position of the specific point in the sky panorama image Explanatory drawing explaining the installation state of the photovoltaic power generation panel in an imaging point Image of the display screen showing the solar trajectory before manually correcting the direct sunlight attribute Image of the display screen showing the solar trajectory after manually correcting the direct sunlight attribute

An embodiment of a sunshine evaluation system according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
A sunshine evaluation system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for evaluating a sunshine state at an installation place of an installation object such as a building or a device when it is installed outdoors. In particular, by using the sky fisheye image G1 imaged at the point where the photovoltaic power generation panel 50 is installed, the sunlight duration for the photovoltaic power generation panel 50 is grasped, and the sunlight duration and the attitude state of the photovoltaic power generation panel 50 are determined. Therefore, the system is configured to evaluate the power generation state such as the annual power generation amount in the solar power generation panel 50.

This sunshine evaluation system 1 is a personal computer comprising hardware such as computer software and a CPU (not shown) for executing the processing, a display screen 2, an operation input unit 3 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a storage device 25 such as a hard disk. The computer includes a computer, and the computer executes a predetermined computer program for sunshine evaluation, whereby each means included in the sunshine evaluation system 1 is realized.
The computer program for sunshine evaluation is installed in a storage device accessible by a computer configured in hardware via a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a data transmission medium such as the Internet. Has been put to practical use.

Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the sunshine evaluation system 1 will be described.
The sunshine evaluation system 1 includes an image input unit 12 that receives an input of a sky image G obtained by imaging the sky T, and an image display unit 10 that displays the sky image G on the display screen 2.
The image input unit 12 receives an input of a sky fisheye image G1 obtained by imaging the sky T through the fisheye lens 30a as the sky image G.
The sunshine evaluation system 1 includes an image conversion unit 11 and a sunshine region determination unit 13.
As shown in FIG. 2, this sky fisheye image G1 is a sky in which a digital camera 30 equipped with a fisheye lens 30a is placed at a predetermined image pickup position directly above, and the digital camera 30 is centered on the zenith Tt. By taking an image of T, it is obtained as image data.
The sky fisheye image G1 input in this way is displayed on the upper left corner of the display screen 2 by the image display means 10, as shown in FIG.
Further, on the side of the display portion of the sky fisheye image G1 on the display screen 2, an input capable of inputting the angle of the “south direction” in order to recognize the reference south direction in the sky fisheye image G1. Is provided.

The image conversion means 11 generates a sky panorama image G2 by panorama converting the sky fisheye image G1. Details of the panorama conversion by the image conversion means 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, for an arbitrary point P in the sky T, if the clockwise azimuth angle with respect to the south is α (rad) and the upward elevation angle with respect to the horizontal is β (rad), As shown in FIG. 3, in the sky fisheye image G1 imaged through the fisheye lens 30a and having a radius of 1, the position of the point P is cosβ (= r from the center on the radius of the azimuth angle α clockwise relative to the south. ).
Then, when this sky fisheye image G1 is panorama converted into a panoramic image having a height of 1 and a width of 4 as shown in FIG. 4, the point P is coordinated with the lowest point of the south as the origin. The sky panorama image G2 is generated in a form associated with (2α / π, sinβ (= sin (cos ⁻¹ r)).
Further, the sky panorama image G2 generated in this way is displayed by the image display means 10 on the lower part of the center on the display screen 2 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sunshine area determination means 13 is not a non-sunshine area A2 in which a sunshine obstacle such as a building or a tree exists in the sky panorama image G2 as the sky image G and the non-sunshine area A2. The sunlight region A1 is automatically determined based on the state value of the sky image G.
Specifically, the sunshine area determination means 13 automatically determines the sunshine area A1 and the non-sunshine area A2 based on the digital value of RGB luminance of each pixel as a state value in the sky panorama image G2. As for a specific method of automatic determination as to whether or not it is the sunshine region A1, for example, the detailed description is omitted in order to adopt the method described in Non-Patent Document 1 described in the Background Art section. By comparing the digital value of the RGB brightness with the reference value, it is automatically determined whether it is the sunshine area A1 or the non-sunshine area A2.
In such sunshine region determination, it is determined whether or not the region is the sunshine region A1 by using the luminance of each pixel as the state value of the image. In other words, a sunshine obstacle displayed in a state of substantially the same brightness as the sunshine region A1 is erroneously determined to be a sunshine region A1 even though it is actually a non-sunshine region A2, and conversely, A cloud portion or the like displayed with substantially the same brightness as the non-sunshine area A2 may be erroneously determined to be the non-sunshine area A2 even though it is actually the sunlight area A1.
Note that the sunshine region A1 indicates a region where sunshine obstacles such as buildings do not exist and sunshine is not restricted, and conversely, the non-sunshine region A2 indicates that sunshine obstacles such as buildings exist and sunlight is present. Indicates the restricted area.

Therefore, the sunshine evaluation system 1 includes a solar direction trajectory display unit 16 and a direct sunlight attribute correction unit 21 described below.
The solar direction trajectory display means 16 is a direct sunlight attribute indicating whether or not the trajectory of the solar direction P1 stored in advance in the storage device 25 (see FIG. 1) is the direct sunlight direction P1a overlapping the sunlight region A1. Are displayed on the display screen 2 so as to be superimposed on the sky image G.
Specifically, in the storage device 25, a solar direction in which a trajectory of the solar direction P1 formed by plotting the solar direction P1 per unit time (eg, 15 minutes) in each of a plurality of seasons (eg, half-monthly seasons) is recorded. The database is stored. Then, the solar direction trajectory display means 16 extracts the trajectory of the solar direction P1 in a plurality of seasons from the solar direction database stored in the storage device 25, and the sky where the sunshine area A1 and the non-sunshine area A2 are automatically determined. In the state of being overlaid on the panoramic image G2, the extracted trajectory in the sun direction P1 is displayed every unit time (for example, every 15 minutes, and in FIG. 6, it is displayed every hour for simplification). Is displayed on the display screen 2.
In the display screen 2 shown in FIG. 6, the trajectory of the solar direction P1 before manually correcting the direct sunlight attribute in the sky panoramic image G2 is the direct sunlight direction P1a or the non-direct sunlight direction P1b. Are superimposed and displayed so that the direct sunlight attribute can be identified.

That is, when the trajectory of the sun direction P1 is superimposed and displayed on the sky panorama image G2, the sun direction P1 overlapping the sunlight region A1 automatically determined by the sunlight region determination unit 13 is the direct sunlight direction P1a. (Indicated by “●” in FIG. 6) so that it can be identified. On the other hand, the sun direction P1 overlapping the non-sunshine area A2 automatically determined by the sunshine area determination means 13 is displayed so as to be identifiable as the sunlight non-directly reaching direction P1b (indicated by “♦” in FIG. 6).
Further, the sun direction trajectory display means 16 checks the “sun trajectory” check box provided on the side of the display portion of the sky fisheye image G1, thereby omitting the illustration of the trajectory in the sun direction P1. It is also possible to display the image superimposed on the sky fisheye image G1.

  The direct sunlight attribute correction means 21 enables manual correction of the direct sunlight attribute as to whether the direct sunlight direction P1a is the solar direction P1 selected on the display screen 2. Specifically, the user visually confirms the trajectory of the sun direction P1 superimposed and displayed on the sky panorama image G2 on the display screen 2, and the sunlight input attribute is erroneously displayed by the operation input unit 3. After selecting the solar direction P1 (refer to the direct solar direction P1a represented by “●” surrounded by the one-dot chain line X in FIG. 6), the reverse button 2a for changing the direct sunlight attribute is selected. When selected, the direct sunlight attribute correction means 21 changes the direct sunlight attribute of the selected solar direction P1 (the non-direct solar indicated by “♦” surrounded by a dashed line X in FIG. 7). (See direction P1b).

As described above, when the automatic determination of whether or not the sunshine area A1 is the sunshine area determination unit 13 includes an erroneous determination, the image is displayed superimposed on the sky panorama image G2, as shown in FIG. In the solar direction P1, the sunlight non-directly reaching direction P1b is displayed even in an area where it can be visually confirmed that there are no sunlight obstacles such as buildings or trees, or conversely Even if it is in an area where it can be visually confirmed that the sunlight is present, it may be displayed as the non-direct sunlight direction P1b.
That is, the automatic determination by the sunshine region determination means 13 is displayed with substantially the same state value as the actual sunshine region A1 in order to use the state value of the sky image such as the digital value of RGB luminance of each pixel as a reference. The sunshine obstacle may be erroneously determined to be the sunshine region A1.
Therefore, the direct sunlight attribute correction means 21 allows the user to manually correct the direct sunlight attribute for the solar direction P1 after selecting the erroneously determined solar direction P1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, in the locus in the sun direction P1 displayed on the display screen 2 so as to be superimposed on the sky panorama image G2, the arrangement state of the sunshine obstacle that can be visually confirmed on the sky panorama image G2 and the accurate state The solar direction P1 can be displayed on the display screen 2 in a state where the direct sunlight direct attribute in the solar direction P1 is corrected and the accurate direct sunlight attribute can be identified.
In addition, on the display screen 2 shown in FIG. 7, the trajectory in the sun direction P1 after manually correcting the direct sunlight attribute is displayed on the sky panorama image G2.

And since the sunlight evaluation system 1 comprised in this way is provided with the exact sunlight direct transmission attribute in the locus | trajectory of the solar direction P1, the sunlight time with respect to the photovoltaic power generation panel 50 installed in an imaging position, etc. In addition, the amount of solar radiation expected in the solar panel 50 using the sunshine hours, etc. (kWh / m ² · year) and the direct sunlight rate of the year A certain annual direct delivery rate or the like can be calculated and displayed on the display screen 2.

The sunshine evaluation system 1 is an individual selection that individually selects the solar direction P1 when selecting the arbitrary solar direction P1 on the display screen 2 when the direct sunlight attribute correction means 21 corrects the direct sunlight attribute. Has a mode.
Further, the sunshine evaluation system 1 designates a rectangular range composed of a horizontal side and a vertical side in the selection operation for the solar direction P1 on the sky image G displayed on the display screen 2 separately from the individual selection mode. A normal range designation mode for selecting the range.
That is, when selecting an arbitrary solar direction P1, the user alternatively determines a mode between the individual selection mode and the normal range designation mode. If the normal range designation mode is selected, in the sky panorama image G2 as the sky image G, the rectangular range is designated by dragging the mouse or the like, and all the sun directions P1 in the range are selected at once. For example, the direct sunlight attribute of the selected solar direction P1 can be corrected collectively.

[Other Embodiments]
Finally, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration of each embodiment described below is not limited to being applied independently, and can be applied in combination with the configuration of other embodiments as long as no contradiction arises.
(1) In the above embodiment, the sunshine evaluation system 1 according to the present invention is configured as a so-called stand-alone system in which a computer constituting the sunshine evaluation system 1 is directly operated or data input is performed. The server constituting the evaluation system 1 may be configured as a so-called client / server system that performs operation or data input from a client terminal through a network.

(2) In the above embodiment, the solar direction trajectory display means 16 is configured to plot and display the trajectory of the solar direction P1 for each unit time on the display screen 2. The locus may be displayed as a curve or the like.
In addition, when the trajectory of the solar direction P1 is displayed as a curve in this way, in selecting the solar direction P1 to change the direct sunlight attribute, the solar direction P1 included in the range specified on the sky image G A portion of the trajectory can be selected.

(3) In the above embodiment, as the selection mode of the solar direction P1 on the sky image G displayed on the display screen 2, the horizontal side and the vertical side are separate from the individual selection mode for individually selecting the solar direction P1. A normal range specification mode is provided to specify a rectangular range consisting of and select all the solar directions P1 included in the range. However, the normal range specification mode is omitted and only the individual selection mode is provided. It doesn't matter.

The present invention comprises an image input means for receiving an input of a sky image obtained by imaging the sky,
Image display means for displaying the sky image on a display screen;
In the sky image, a sunshine area determination means for automatically determining a non-sunshine area where a sunshine obstacle exists and sunshine is restricted and a sunshine area that is not the non-sunshine area based on the state value of the sky image;
The trajectory of the sun direction stored in advance is displayed on the display screen so as to be superposed on the sky image in a state in which the direct sunlight attribute indicating whether or not the direct sunlight direction overlaps the sunlight region can be identified. It can be suitably used as a sunshine evaluation system provided with solar direction trajectory display means.

1: Sunlight evaluation system 2: Display screen 10: Image display means 11: Image conversion means 12: Image input means 13: Sunlight area determination means 16: Solar direction trajectory display means 21: Sunlight direct attribute correction means 30a: Fisheye lens 50: Solar power generation panel (installed)
A1: Sunlight area A2: Non-sunshine area G: Sky image G1: Sky fisheye image G2: Sky panorama image P1: Sun direction P1a: Direct sunlight direction P1b: Non-direct sunlight direction T: Sky

Claims (4)

Image input means for receiving input of a sky image obtained by imaging the sky;
Image display means for displaying the sky image on a display screen;
In the sky image, a sunshine area determination means for automatically determining a non-sunshine area where a sunshine obstacle exists and sunshine is restricted and a sunshine area that is not the non-sunshine area based on the state value of the sky image;
The trajectory of the sun direction stored in advance is displayed on the display screen so as to be superposed on the sky image in a state in which the direct sunlight attribute indicating whether or not the direct sunlight direction overlaps the sunlight region can be identified. A sunshine evaluation system comprising solar direction trajectory display means,
The image input means accepts an input of a sky fisheye image obtained by imaging the sky through a fisheye lens,
Image conversion means for generating a sky panorama image by panorama converting the sky fisheye image;
The image display means displays the sky panoramic image on the display screen;
The sun direction trajectory display means displays the trajectory in the sun direction superimposed on the sky panoramic image,
A sunshine evaluation system comprising sunlight direct attribute correction means capable of manually correcting the sunlight direct attribute for the sun direction selected on the display screen. The solar direction trajectory display means displays the solar direction every unit time,
The sunshine evaluation system according to claim 1, further comprising an individual selection mode in which the sun direction is individually selected on the sky image displayed on the display screen.   The selection operation for the sun direction on the sky image displayed on the display screen has a normal range specification mode in which a rectangular range including a horizontal side and a vertical side is specified and the range is selected. The sunshine evaluation system according to 2.   The computer program for sunshine evaluation provided with the program for implement | achieving each means with which the sunshine evaluation system of any one of Claims 1-3 is provided on a computer.