WO2017103940A1

WO2017103940A1 - System and method for designing and engineering of a pv installation

Info

Publication number: WO2017103940A1
Application number: PCT/IN2016/050028
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arul Shanmugasundram; Mohammad Ghouse MOHIDEEN
Original assignee: Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd.
Priority date: 2015-12-15
Filing date: 2016-01-28
Publication date: 2017-06-22

Abstract

A method and a system to aid the designing of a photovoltaic installation. The method involves the steps of navigating an aerial flyer over a rooftop or an open space, transmitting measurement data from the aerial flyer to an integrated application that is configured to calculate appropriate PV module array layout, installation capacity, energy generation detail and other installation requirements.

Description

System and method for designing and engineering of a PV installation

The invention generally relates to design and installation of photovoltaic systems and more specifically to an integrated tool involving an aerial flyer and an integrated application to aid in designing and engineering of a photovoltaic system (PV system).

Photovoltaic module installation is a complex process where system installation demands various pre installation analyses. First and foremost step is to ensure that the roof area or other installation site is capable of handling the desired system size. Based on roof design, size and other parameters an optimal position where sunlight and weather conditions are most favorable is chosen for the PV system installation.

Once the array layout is designed, the optimal size of the PV system needs to be determined. The system is installed based on the installation requirements and procedures from the manufacturers' specifications. Further, energy generation plan needs to be created to calculate the maximum energy that can be generated by the installed PV system.

The existing methods for area measurement and corresponding PV system designing are complicated and time consuming. One big drawback of the current systems is that they rely on manual measurement techniques that are prone to considerable errors and ultimately may result in an erroneous design. Though some attempts have been made at automating the measurement and designing processes but given that these processes rely on many independent applications, the desired accuracy and ease of designing is far from achieved.

One such known process includes the use of Google maps to get a satellite imagery of the installation site where the images are blurred and said to have a resolution lesser than 256*256 pixels. Based on such images, a rough estimation of material requirement is calculated. A separate tool may be used for computing estimated energy generation plan which again gives the rough estimation of energy generation.

Combination of such various pieces of technology which are not made to work in synchronization with each other always ends up in giving estimation far away from the reality.

To overcome the present drawbacks, there is a need for a system which is a fine blend of all the required technologies integrated together, that makes the use of the system more simple and ends up in giving more accurate results.

Accordingly the invention provides a system and method for designing and engineering of a PV module where the system comprises of an aerial flyer which flies over a target zone, a camera mounted on the aerial flyer captures images/video of the target zone. Captured images are further processed and are converted into 3D models. Server receives such 3D models and creates an array layout out of it. The system further includes the generation of energy estimation plan using meteo file and also the generation of budget report using cost template enclosed within the same server.

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which, like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig.1

shows a flowchart depicting / illustrating a method that aids designing and engineering oaf PV system.

Fig.2

depicts / illustrates a system that aids designing and engineering of rooftop PV system.

Fig.3

depicts/illustrates architecture of the aerial flyer.

Fig.4

shows a block diagram representing the process of generation of overall photovoltaic solar system design, dimension and cost estimation.

Fig.5

shows a rooftop building installed with a photo-voltaic solar system.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and / or detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The embodiments herein below provide a method and system that aids the designing of a PV system using an integrated tool. The method involves the steps of navigating an aerial flyer over a rooftop or an open space, transmitting measurement data from the aerial flyer to an integrated application that is configured to calculate appropriate PV module array layout, installation capacity, energy generation detail and other installation requirements.

Referring now to the drawings, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.

Fig 1 shows a flowchart 100 of a method that aids designing and engineering of a PV system. The method includes the steps of navigating an aerial flyer (block 108) across a target zone. An aerial flyer may be any drones, UFOs (Unmanned flying objects) known in the art or developed in the future or any other aerial flying equipment specifically designed for capturing rooftop or open space dimensions. Here the aerial flyer is equipped with a camera to capture/record the pictures/video of the target zone (block 110) under survey. The mentioned target zone can be a rooftop of any building or it can be any open space. The aerial flyer is also equipped with suitable sensors for reproducing Geo-reference embedded imagery / video.

In an exemplary embodiment, the aerial flyer may be equipped with a high definition mini camera with picture quality greater than 1024*1024 pixels or a video recorder with a high picture quality.

Captured 2 dimensional pictures of a 3 dimensional target zone are processed further on the aerial flyer to convert the pictures or videos to a 3 dimensional model (block 112), photogrammetrically. 3D modeling is a process of developing a mathematical representation of a surface by designating and manipulating its width, height and depth. Obtained 3D model is sent to the server which involves an integrated application; the roof part of the 3D model is then extracted by the architectural module of the integrated application for creating an array layout (block 114) which helps in solar system sizing and creating a preliminary PV system layout for the target zone. In general terms, array layout may be defined as a simplest representation of arrangement of Solar-panels using rectangular shaped units with specific rows, columns and spacing between the units, to get a maximum capacity feasibility at the target zone (Roof top / Open Space).

In one embodiment, integrated application comprises of multiple modules and predefined file templates which help in designing and engineering of a PV module. Some such modules are an architecture module to create an array layout from the 3D model, an energy estimation modules that utilizes a meteo file to calculate energy generation of the PV system and a predefined cost template.

In an exemplary embodiment, mentioned aerial flyer may use a 3D camera which can give a 3 dimensional image of a 3 dimensional surface. One example for 3D camera is stereo camera which has two or more lenses with different image sensors. These 3D images can then be sent to the integrated application for similar processing as mentioned above.

Further, after creating a preliminary PV system layout based on the array layout of the target zone, energy generation plan of the PV system can be obtained (block 116)by adding a meteo file into the integrated application. Meteo data files may generate month wise average insolation/solar radiation value of a particular place based on which energy generation plan is obtained. Obtained energy generation plan includes energy commitment (kWh) estimated for specific future years. Energy generation plan further includes performance ratio (PR) of the PV system layout, which is a product of energy commitment (kWh), area of the PV module and efficiency of the module. With the above obtained energy commitment value, maximum capacity of the PV system to be installed in the target zone can be quantified (block 118) along with the energy generation plan.

Further, the integrated application involves a predefined cost template decided based on the array layout structure and energy estimation plan. With the help of the cost template, budget report Of the PV module is generated (block 120).

Fig 2 represents a building rooftop 214 and system200 that aids designing of a rooftop PV system. The system 200 includes an aerial flyer 210 with a camera 212 and a server 216 containing integrated application along with a database 218.

In one embodiment, the automated process of designing a solar system starts by letting an aerial flyer 210 to navigate across the building rooftop 214 and take pictures from an appropriate position with the help of the camera 212 equipped in it. The advantage of using aerial flyer in the process of designing a PV system is to see elements of the landscape that can easily be missed and what might seem like an insignificant bump from ground level can become more significant in a wider context. To avoid such miss outs and get more accurate results, aerial flyers 210 are used in the process.

Further, the high definition pictures taken from the camera 212 are processed to convert 2D images into 3D models. The conversion can be carried out by using specified software such as a photogrammetry software which can take measurements from photographs and recover the exact position of surface points. The obtained 3D model is a mathematical representation of the building rooftop 214 surface, obtained by designating and manipulating surface width, height and depth. These 3D models are sent to a server 216 through any wireless communication means known in the prior art or developed in the future. In an alternative embodiment the 2D images/video can also be converted into 2.5D (2D + height) and further usage for desired results shall be followed as proposed.

The server 216 contains a processing unit within which, the integrated application takes the roof part of the 3D model and creates a grid form called array layout filled with rectangular units of photovoltaic panels. The present modification may be done using an integrated architecture software application such as CADD software application. Unlike the existing methods of designing PV system, the present system may have a provision to edit the created CADD drawings for post-bid engineering design activity.

Furthermore, the integrated application may contain the option of receiving a meteo data file through an API (Application programming interface), wherein such Meteo files may generate month wise average insolation/solar radiation value of a particular place. Meteo file may be integrated into the system in a predefined template to get an energy generation plan or energy estimation report. Using the energy generation plan, Performance ratio (PR) and energy commitment (in kWh) can be estimated for the next 25 years for the building roof 214. Using energy commitment value, maximum capacity of the PV system to be installed on the rooftop 214 can be quantified along with the energy generation plan

Once the capacity of the PV system to be installed on the rooftop 214 is quantified, a predefined cost template is integrated into the system to get the overall budget report. The whole process of designing from taking rooftop images till generating the budget report for a rooftop solar system is automated. Further customization can be done using the Specific Solar panel dimension as a template in CADD for generating the Photo Voltaic array layout.

In an alternative embodiment, the 3D rendering engine instead of being present on the aerial flyer may reside in the server as a part of the integrated application.

In another alternative embodiment, the system disclosed herein may be used to aid installation of PV systems in open spaces wherein the aerial flyer utilizes the landscape features to determine the target zone. The remaining process remains the same as provided herein.

Fig.3 depicts the architecture 300 of an aerial flyer used in the method of designing and engineering of PV module. The architecture 300 involves an aerial flyer 310 with a processor 312. A sever 216 with a database 218 is in communication with the aerial flyer 310. When aerial flyer 310 captures images of a target zone, the images/data is sent to the processor 312 wherein the 2/3 dimensional images are converted into 3D models by recovering the exact positions of surface points and the measurements. This is achieved by utilizing the photogrammetry and other similar software.

Created 3D models are then sent to server 216 with a processing unit (not shown) and a database 218. Integrated application in the server 216 gives instructions to the processing unit to detail 3D models and create an array layout from it. Further based on the created array layout, integrated application automatically generates energy estimation report with the help of meteo files (refer Fig 4) and a budget report.

Fig. 4 shows a block diagram representation of an automated process of generation of a PV system design, dimension, energy generation and cost estimation. From an

aerial flyer

402, 2D images of a rooftop or an open space are fed to photogrammetry software 404 to receive a mathematical representation of the 2D images. The mathematical representation is further called as 3D model. Obtained 3D model is fed to CADD software 406 to obtain an array layout of the 3D model. To get the dimension of the solar panel used in the PV system or more precisely to get the dimensions of array layout, CADD software 406 is customized in a way that engineering drawings are created to suffice the pre and post bid engineering design activities. Such obtained array layout of solar panel may be considered as result 1. In an alternative embodiment, this CADD software task can be performed using Trimble’s Sketchup or ESRI’s ArcGIS or any suitable photogrammetry or any suitable GIS softwares. A meteo file 408 which generates month wise average insolation/solar radiation value of a particular place integrated into the system to get an energy estimation report. The energy estimation report provides the total energy that can be generated by the PV system and hence energy estimation report is considered as result 2. Further, a predefined cost template 410 is integrated into the system to give out a budget report which gives an accurate number on the total budget involved in the installation of PV system. This budget report may be considered as result 3. The combination of result 1, result 2 and result 3 may be utilized to fully design and install the PV system for the target zone.

Fig 5 represents a rooftop building installed with a photo-voltaic solar system. Once the PV system design, energy generation plan, budget plan and the panel dimensions are obtained from the automated process described above, a PV system 512 is manufactured with the obtained specifications to a specific building rooftop 510.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

A system for designing and engineering of a PV installation comprising:
an aerial flyer;
a camera disposed within said aerial flyer, said camera configured to capture images of a target zone;
a processor in communication with said aerial flyer, said processor configured to process said images of said target zone; and
a server in communication with said processor, said server configured to receive processed images from said processor.
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 1 wherein said aerial flyer is an Unmanned flying object (UFO).
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 1 wherein said camera is a 2D camera.
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 1 wherein said camera is a 3D camera.
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 1 wherein said camera is a video camera.
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 1 wherein said processor is deposed on said aerial flyer.
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 1 wherein said processor is configured to use photograemmetry software to convert images to a 3D model or 2.5D model.
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 1 wherein said processor is deposed within said server.
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 7 wherein an architecture software is used to create an array layout from said 3D model.
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 1 further comprising a database configured to store data required for computing energy estimation.
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 1 further comprising a database configured to store data required for computing budget requirements.
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 1 wherein said server is configured to use meteo files to generate energy estimation report for said PV installation.
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 1 wherein said server configured to use a cost template to generate budget report for said array layout.
The system for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 1 further comprising a GPS or suitable sensor equipped for reproducing a Geo-referenced imagery / video.
A method for designing and engineering of a PV installation, said method comprising:
flying of an aerial flyer over a target zone;
capturing of images of said target zone by a camera disposed within said aerial flyer;
processing of said images by a processor in communication with said aerial flyer; and
transmitting processed images to a server;
generating of energy estimation plan using a meteo file; and
generating budget report using a cost template.
The method for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 15 wherein said images are 2 dimensional images of said target zone.
The method for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 15 wherein said images are 3 dimensional images of said target zone.
The method for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 15 wherein said images are video clippings of said target zone.
The method for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 15 wherein a photogrammetry software is used for creating a 3D model from said images.
The method for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 19 wherein an architectural or a photogrammetery or a GIS software is used for creating an array layout of PV modules using said 3D model.
The method for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 15 further comprising using a meteo file to generate energy estimation report for said PV installation.
The method for designing and engineering of a PV installation of claim 15 further comprising using a cost template to generate budget report for said PV installation.