Geometric Method for Estimating Shading Degree of Objects in Solar Industry
The paper presents a geometric model for evaluating the effective area of photovoltaic solar panels, taking into account their shading cast upon the object when it is exposed to a solar flux directed as it has been set. The relevance of such research is due to the fact that solar energy is a source of ecologically clean energy on earth, in space - it is often the only source of life support for inhabited space stations and future extraterrestrial settlements. It describes problem setting, namely physical and mathematical approaches to evaluating energy efficiency of pho- tovoltaic solar panels. To estimate energy efficiency, we have chosen a voxel geometric model which samples the normal working area. The developed voxel geometric model differs from others significantly, namely it employs 4-digit code instead of 2-digit. Such multi-digit feature allows the solving algorithm to “trace” the shade source quickly when calculating the total effective area of photovoltaic solar panels. The paper presents the software implementation of the described geometric model, the graphical shell, and the results of verification of the afore- said geometric model. The results of its testing (estimates of accuracy and performance) are given. This results showing sufficient accuracy for practice and high speed of calculations (less than 10 seconds of processor time).