Solar access measurement device

Abstract

A Solar Access Measurement Device (“SAMD”) located at a predetermined position is disclosed. The SAMD may include a skyline detector enabled to detect a skyline of a horizon relative to the SAMD, an orientation determination unit enabled to determine the orientation of the skyline detector, and a processor in signal communication with the skyline detector and orientation determination unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an image sensor enabled to capture an image of a horizon that includes the sun;   an orientation determination unit enabled to establish an inclination of the image; and   a processor in signal communication with the image sensor and the orientation determination unit, the processor enabled to deduce a magnetic orientation for the image, based on the inclination of the image, a position of the sun within the image, a time, a date, and a location associated with the image.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the image sensor, the orientation determination unit and the processor are included in a solar access measurement device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the deduced magnetic orientation provides a calibration for the solar access measurement device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the image sensor includes a wide-angle lens that enables the image sensor to capture the image over a semi-spherical range. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the captured image comprises multiple images that are stitched together with software to provide a combined image. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further including a gyroscopic sensor that senses motion of the image sensor relative to a reference orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the processor is further enabled to detect a skyline within the image of the horizon, wherein the skyline includes a boundary at which at least one solar obstacle and the sky meet within the captured image of the horizon. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the processor is further enabled to determine an amount of solar radiation at the location associated with the captured image. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the processor is further enabled to provide one or more paths of the sun throughout a range of times of day and days of the year for the location associated with the captured image, and wherein the one or more paths of the sun are superimposed on the captured image. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a GPS in signal communication with the processor determines the location associated with the captured image. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an image sensor enabled to capture multiple images of a horizon that includes a skyline, wherein at least one image of the multiple images includes the sun;   an inclinometer enabled to establish an inclination of the at least one image that includes the sun;   a timing device in signal communication with a processor;   a position locator in signal communication with the processor;   a gyroscopic sensor in signal communication with the processor, the gyroscopic sensor sensing motion of the image sensor relative to a reference orientation; and   wherein the processor is in signal communication with the image sensor and the inclination detector, the processor enabled to deduce a magnetic orientation for the image based on the inclination of the at least one image that includes the sun, a position of the sun within the at least one image that includes the sun, a time and a date provided by a timing device, and a location provided by the position locator.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the image sensor, the inclinometer, and the processor are included in a solar access measurement device. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the deduced magnetic orientation provides a calibration for the solar access measurement device. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the multiple images are stitched together with software to provide a combined image. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the processor is further enabled to determine a solar access based on a skyline detected within the combined image, wherein the skyline includes a boundary at which at least one solar obstacle and the sky meet within the combined image. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the processor is further enabled to provide one or more paths of the sun throughout a range of times of day and days of the year for the location provided by the position locator, and wherein the one or more paths of the sun are superimposed on the combined image. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the processor is further enabled to determine an amount of solar radiation at the location provided by the position locator. 
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 capturing an image of a horizon that includes the sun;   establishing an inclination of the image; and   deducing a magnetic orientation for the image, based on the inclination of the image, a position of the sun within the image, a time, a date, and a location associated with the image.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising detecting a skyline within the captured image of the horizon. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising determining an amount of solar radiation at the location associated with the captured image.