General Electric Company

Marcus Zettl

Oliver Gerhard Mayer

Michael Schmidt

Yaru Najem Mendez Hernandez

Mark Ronald Lynass

Eva Bernal Serra

Omar Stern

Marianne Hartung

Christian Maria Anton Heller

Christian M Heller

Eike Mueggenburg

Yvonne Boose

Omar Ivan Stern Gonzalez

Toby Ferenczi

A physical effect (optical effect), which may be observed in solar irradiance as shading due to a cloud passing overhead may be approaching a given location (e.g., a location at or proximate a solar power generator), has been discovered. This optical effect takes place prior to an occurrence of a solar obscuration event by the cloud, and thus this optical effect may be effectively sensed and processed in apparatuses, systems and methods to predict the occurrence of a solar obscuration of the power generator.

Prediction of solar obscuration events based on detection of spectral distribution shifts caused by approaching clouds

A prediction system for predicting solar irradiance based on cloud characteristics includes a sky imager that includes a customized lens configured to capture one or more substantially planar images of the sky. The prediction system further includes an image processor coupled to the sky imager and configured to process the one or more substantially planar images. Moreover, the prediction system includes a computing system coupled to the image processor and configured to detect cloud characteristics based on the one or more substantially planar images, and predict the solar irradiance based on the cloud characteristics.

Methods and systems for predicting cloud movement

A solar-based power generation system may include an array of components responsive to solar radiance. The components may be disposed over respective locations on a field. The system may further include a plurality of optical fibers having respective first ends coupled to the array of components and arranged to receive solar radiance. The plurality of optical fibers may have respective second ends arranged to output respective optical signals indicative of respective levels of solar radiance over the respective locations of the field. Opto-electrical circuitry may be coupled to receive the respective optical signals from the plurality of optical fibers and generate a respective signal indicative of a shadow condition present over at least one or more of the respective locations of the field.

Shadow detection apparatus using fiber optics for solar-based power generation plants

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Aying, Germany

Marcus Zettl