Cloud tracking from whole-sky ground-based images

Tracking and predicting cloud motion was a key factor in getting the most out of solar PV installations. This paper presents a method of tracking cloud motion using ground-based omnidirectional images acquired by a catadioptric camera. This sensor offers wide field of vision that allows us a longtime of clouds tracking. Acquired images are processed to extract the relative position of the sun and tracking the cloud motions. The proposed tracking procedure is composed of three steps: segmentation, localization and detection of interest points of clouds then tracking cloud motions using an optical flow method, finally we determine the velocity vector. This technique can track displacement of each interest point in different speeds and directions to follow cloud path.