Resources

Solar & Daylight Data

Sun-path, solar altitude and azimuth, and daylighting inputs for architects — how to read sun-path diagrams and use computed solar angles for orientation, shading, and passive design.

Where the sun sits in the sky at a given latitude, date, and time drives orientation, shading, glazing, and passive-solar strategy long before energy modeling begins. The pages below explain the geometry architects rely on — sun-path diagrams, solar altitude and azimuth, and solar noon — and show how the numbers are computed from latitude and solar declination.

Values here are calculated from standard solar-geometry equations and are approximate: they use mean declination and ignore atmospheric refraction, the equation of time, and local horizon obstructions. Use them to reason about orientation and shading at concept stage, then confirm with a full solar study or energy model as the design develops.

Prepared by Harth as generated collection navigation. Evidence and review scope are recorded on each linked page.

United States and general guides

By country

Design for your site's sun.Render it on your 3D model.