Mobile QR Code QR CODE : Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering

Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering

ISO Journal TitleKorean J. Air-Cond. Refrig. Eng.
  • Open Access, Monthly
Open Access Monthly
  • ISSN : 1229-6422 (Print)
  • ISSN : 2465-7611 (Online)
Title LSTM-Based Solar Thermal System Prediction Model Considering Weather Forecasts and Observation Data
Authors Deokgeun Kim ; Ajin Jo ; Jaeman Song ; Hiki Hong
DOI https://doi.org/10.6110/KJACR.2025.37.8.384
Page pp.384-394
ISSN 1229-6422
Keywords 딥러닝; 수치 시스템 관측; 수치 기상 관측; 수치 기상 예측; 태양열 시스템 Deep learning; Numerical system observation; Numerical weather observation; Numerical weather prediction; Solar thermal system
Abstract Research on predicting solar thermal systems has primarily utilized artificial neural networks (ANNs), which heavily rely on numerical weather prediction (NWP) data. However, ANN models struggle to capture temporal dependencies in time series data, and discrepancies between NWP data and actual observations can reduce prediction accuracy. This study proposes a long short-term memory (LSTM)-based prediction model that integrates NWP, numerical weather observation (NWO), and numerical system observation (NSO) data. The model predicts three output variables and was developed into three configurations: LSTM 1, LSTM 2, and LSTM 3, each based on different input setups. LSTM 3 outperformed LSTM 1 in predicting supplied energy, reducing the mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) by 28.2% and 25.3%, respectively, while improving the R² value by 34.5%. For predicting the top storage tank temperature, LSTM 3 also achieved reductions in MAE and RMSE of 27.3% and 23.5%, and improved R² by 12.2%. In terms of the prediction of acquired energy, solar irradiation was the most significant variable, with an importance score of 0.068, followed closely by supplied energy at 0.067 and top storage tank temperature at 0.057. These results indicate that the combined influence of environmental and system variables is crucial for enhancing prediction accuracy.