Low-Cost Sky Camera with Centralized Storage Systems

Sky cameras play a pivotal role in very short-term irradiance forecasting. However, the existing sky camera solutions available in the market are prohibitively expensive. In this paper, a low-cost sky camera using Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras with centralized storage systems is proposed and the prototype has been developed. By including CCTV cameras, L2TP/IPsec VPN connections, and storage systems, the prototype low-cost sky camera can be achieved at a cost of approximately 160 USD per unit. During the 245-day testing period, the sky images captured at everyone-minute interval are successfully stored in the centralized storage systems. Future design considerations include camera sensor lifetime and how to prevent storage run out of space.