Improved cloud detection and sun masking method based on full sky images

Aleynikov P. I., Sarajishvili S. E.

Cloud detection and segmentation in full sky camera images is used in intra-hour solar forecasting systems. Threshold segmentation algorithms based on color channel ratio, such as RBR or BRBG, are widely used. However, most of these algorithms experience problems in the circumsolar region. In this article, we propose an algorithm for generating a solar mask for a BRBG representation of a complete sky image. The article also presents preliminary results of testing the algorithm on various cloud scenes and proposals for further improving the algorithm.

Keywords:cloud detect, all-sky imagers, solar mask.