Abstract: Deep learning is used to train a neural network for end-to-end prediction of short term (e.g., 20 minutes or less) solar irradiation based on camera images and metadata. The architecture of the neural network includes a recurrent network for temporal considerations. The images and metadata are input at different locations in the neural network. The resulting machine-learned neural network predicts solar irradiation based on camera images and metadata so that a solar plant and back-up power source may be controlled to minimize output power variation.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting short term irradiance prediction for control of a photovoltaic power station includes an irradiance data manager that generates an observed irradiance curve based on irradiance measurements received from an irradiation sensor, and a reference curve generation engine that generates a reference curve representative of irradiance values for a clear sky day. An irradiance prediction engine generates an irradiance prediction curve based on image segmentation and motion filtering of cloud pixels in sky images. A prediction correction engine corrects the irradiance prediction curve within a short term future time interval based on probabilistic analysis of time segmented intervals of the observed irradiance curve, the reference curve, and the irradiance prediction curve.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adapting images from different cameras so that a single trained classifier or an analyzer may be used. The classifier or analyzer operates on images that include a particular color distribution or characteristic. A generative network is used to adapt images from other cameras to have a similar color distribution or characteristic for use by the classifier or analyzer. A generative adversarial process is used to train the generative network.

Abstract: A method of classifying a near sun sky image includes at least one of the following steps: providing a recurrent neural network in the shape of a long short-term memory cell, the memory cell having at least an input gate, a neuron with a self-recurrent connection, a forget gate, and an output gate, and using a convolutional neural network, which includes, in the cited order, at least an input layer, one or more convolutional layers, an average pooling layer, and an output layer.

Abstract: A method of predicting the intensity of sun light irradiating the ground. At least two input images are provided of a time series of images captured from the sky; a plurality of image features are extracted from the at least two input images; a set of meta data associated with the at least two input images are determined; the image features and the meta data are supplied as input data to a neural network; and neural network operations predict the future intensity of the sun light as a function of the input data. Further, a data processing unit and a computer program for controlling or carrying out the described method are described, as well as an electric power system with such a data processing unit.

Abstract: Pixels are classified within a time series of first and second images for the first image, a first probability map is provided with a first probability for a cloud for each first pixel and, for the second image, a second probability map with a second probability for a cloud for each second pixel; first and second mean intensity values are calculated for the pixels; local zero mean images are calculated by subtracting the mean intensity value from the intensity value of the respective pixel; a maximum difference map is generated by calculating, for spatially corresponding pixels, an absolute difference value between a first and second zero mean value; a weighting map is produced by multiplying each absolute difference value with a non-linear function; and a classifying map is computed based on the first probability map, the second probability map, and the weighting map.

Abstract: Deep learning is used to train a neural network for end-to-end prediction of short term (e.g., 20 minutes or less) solar irradiation based on camera images and metadata. The architecture of the neural network includes a recurrent network for temporal considerations. The images and metadata are input at different locations in the neural network. The resulting machine-learned neural network predicts solar irradiation based on camera images and metadata so that a solar plant and back-up power source may be controlled to minimize output power variation.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting short term irradiance prediction for control of a photovoltaic power station includes an irradiance data manager that generates an observed irradiance curve based on irradiance measurements received from an irradiation sensor, and a reference curve generation engine that generates a reference curve representative of irradiance values for a clear sky day. An irradiance prediction engine generates an irradiance prediction curve based on image segmentation and motion filtering of cloud pixels in sky images. A prediction correction engine corrects the irradiance prediction curve within a short term future time interval based on probabilistic analysis of time segmented intervals of the observed irradiance curve, the reference curve, and the irradiance prediction curve.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adapting images from different cameras so that a single trained classifier or an analyzer may be used. The classifier or analyzer operates on images that include a particular color distribution or characteristic. A generative network is used to adapt images from other cameras to have a similar color distribution or characteristic for use by the classifier or analyzer. A generative adversarial process is used to train the generative network.