IEEE VIS 2024 Content: Situated Visualization of Photovoltaic Module Performance for Workforce Development

Situated Visualization of Photovoltaic Module Performance for Workforce Development

Nicholas Brunhart-Lupo - National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, United States

Kenny Gruchalla - National Renewable Energy Lab, Golden, United States

Laurie Williams - Fort Lewis College, Durango, United States

Steve Ellis - Fort Lewis College, Durango, United States

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Room: Bayshore VI

2024-10-14T16:00:00ZGMT-0600Change your timezone on the schedule page
2024-10-14T16:00:00Z
Exemplar figure, described by caption below
A simulated image showing a photovoltaic module's performance for workforce training. An augmented reality projection overlays simulation results onto a physical panel, depicting power flow with arrow and pipe glyphs. Sunlit cells are highlighted in yellow. Shadowed cells are bypassed by diodes and marked with spheres. The optical tracking marker in the foreground relays the panel’s orientation to the system. Users can tilt or rotate the physical panel, adjust the virtual sun’s position using time and geo-coordinate controls, and add virtual occluding objects to explore panel behavior under various conditions.
Abstract

The rapid growth of the solar energy industry requires advanced educational tools to train the next generation of engineers and technicians. We present a novel system for situated visualization of photovoltaic (PV) module performance, leveraging a combination of PV simulation, sun-sky position, and head-mounted augmented reality (AR). Our system is guided by four principles of development: simplicity, adaptability, collaboration, and maintainability, realized in six components. Users interactively manipulate a physical module's orientation and shading referents with immediate feedback on the module's performance.