Category Archives: Solar

Using GANs for PV production data

Posted on July 6, 2021 by gregorykimball

This year I’m excited to present our work on generative adversarial networks for synthesizing solar resource and PV production data. Come check out our modeling and validation approach! “Synthesis of multi-year PV production data using generative adversarial networks” Gregory M. … Continue reading →

Posted in Data, Software, Solar | Leave a comment

PV module imaging and quality assurance

Posted on October 29, 2019 by gregorykimball

Near-infrared imaging and lock-in thermography provide detailed, complementary information for studying the performance of PV modules. In previous work, we described how to extract both local efficiency and nonuniformity characteristics from high-resolution images (as low as 22 μm/pixel). Near-infrared images … Continue reading →

Posted in Software, Solar | Leave a comment

Great American Eclipse ’17

Posted on August 21, 2017 by gregorykimball

We had an amazing experience at the Great American Eclipse in Salem, Oregon! The logistics of finding lodging, renting a car, renting camera hardware and navigating traffic were totally crazy. When it comes to solar eclipses, missing totality is like … Continue reading →

Posted in Solar, Travel | Leave a comment

I can see sunspots

Posted on October 18, 2015 by gregorykimball

I have been on a bit of a quest to observe the sun effortlessly, without discomfort, and with my own eyes. There are plenty of great photos and videos of the sun in different wavelengths, but experiencing the sun without any digitization or intervening detectors has been a goal of mine.

I can finally report the combination of filters that allow anyone to comfortably view the sun.

Sunglasses
Quartz Working Welding Shades, shade #8
12 ND Gel Sheet 299 (Neutral Density), x2

Continue reading →

Posted in Solar | 2 Comments

Solar-powered boat!

Posted on February 18, 2015 by gregorykimball

I recently took a trip to Alcatraz island to see the @Large Ai Weiwei art exhibit. On the way to the island, I was delighted to find that my ferry was solar-powered!

Continue reading →

Posted in Solar | Leave a comment

Shift registers and Voltage display

Posted on March 2, 2014 by gregorykimball

I’ve been having great fun with the Arduino Uno microcontroller board. Here I’ve got the Arduino using a shift register to light up a 7-segment display output.

Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Solar | Leave a comment

Photon Battery Device (PBD)

Posted on March 13, 2013 by gregorykimball

Hey it worked! Finally put together my new solar-powered ultra-high power LED and it’s sweet! The solar cell is 1W and the LED runs at 2W, so for every two minutes of sun you get one minute of light!