Analyzing Cloud Optical Properties Using Sky Cameras

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of ground-based sky cameras to analyze cloud optical thickness, offering higher temporal and spatial resolution data compared to satellite images for solar energy applications.

Contribution

It introduces a method for deriving cloud optical thickness from ground-based sky cameras, addressing limitations of satellite data for real-time solar energy forecasting.

Findings

Sky cameras can effectively measure cloud optical thickness.

Ground-based data offers higher resolution than satellite images.

Potential for improved solar energy forecasting models.

Abstract

Clouds play a significant role in the fluctuation of solar radiation received by the earth's surface. It is important to study the various cloud properties, as it impacts the total solar irradiance falling on the earth's surface. One of such important optical properties of the cloud is the Cloud Optical Thickness (COT). It is defined with the amount of light that can pass through the clouds. The COT values are generally obtained from satellite images. However, satellite images have a low temporal- and spatial- resolutions; and are not suitable for study in applications as solar energy generation and forecasting. Therefore, ground-based sky cameras are now getting popular in such fields. In this paper, we analyze the cloud optical thickness value, from the ground-based sky cameras, and provide future research directions.