Hybrid ray-tracing model for solar energy assessment and its open-source implementation as a service

The existing solar ray-tracing programs for evaluating energy collection are closed-source platform-dependent packages and therefore, their integration into other programs and adaptability to modern technologies (e.g., cloud storage and computing) are either not possible or are extremely complicated. This paper develops a hybrid ray-tracing-based mathematical model for assessing the solar energy received by geometrical layouts. Then, the design of a "Software as a Service" architecture, accessible through Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interfaces, is presented. It is implemented in an open-source environment, available under a Creative Commons license. Validation is performed by comparing the results for two layouts (with and without obstacles and reflectors) with semi-analytical manual solutions. Finally, an application is demonstrated for the optimization of the tilt angle of a booster mounted on the top of fa & ccedil;ade-integrated solar receiver. The service with its client program and examples from this paper is available for free download.