Sky detection in images for solar exposure prediction

Abstract

This project describes a technique for segmenting the area of sky in an image from the remainder of the image. This can then be used for predicting solar exposure at a location at any time of the day on any day of the year, using a new technique which involves image processing. A series of photos is taken from a location of interest and then processed to separate the areas of sky from the rest of the image. The sunlight that will fall on the location from where the images were taken can then be calculated. Critical to the success of this technique is the image processing used to separate the sky from the rest of the image. This paper is concerned with finding a technique which can do this for images taken under different conditions.