Visualization of Solar Radiation Using Three-Dimensional Computer Graphics Technologies

Abstract

Currently, the prediction, calculation and rationing of solar radiation is a serious problem that has a wide impact on the spheres of human activity. Creating and maintaining a comfortable living environment, as well as solving the world's energy problems, are the fundamental criteria that determine its relevance. This article discusses the possibility of using three-dimensional graphics technologies to calculate insolation. The paper considers an algorithm for calculating the four main components of the visualization of global solar radiation: direct beam radiation, diffuse radiation, reflected beam radiation and reflected diffuse radiation. The freely distributed open source software Blender 3D is used as a tool for working with computer graphics. In the course of the study, calculations based on the principle of bidirectional path tracing, which is used in the visualization algorithms of the Cycles graphics engine, are presented. The use of the technology of transferring complex data to the raster image format allows you to create a separate texture map for each component of the simulated lighting. Based on the obtained texture maps, it is possible to calculate the global solar radiation for all created or imported 3D models in the three-dimensional space of Blender 3D.