Solar & Daylight Data

Updated 2026-09-02

Daylight & Orientation: Hamilton, Canada

How to research daylight & orientation for a specific site in Hamilton — the controlling authority, source documents, and checks to run before you rely on a number.

Last updated September 2, 2026 · Location data from the [GeoNames CA dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/CA.zip) (CC BY 4.0, snapshot 2026-08-31, GeoNames ID 5969782). Regulatory starting point: [Codes Canada and the applicable provincial or territorial authority](https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evaluations-standards/codes-canada/codes-canada-publications). Figures are illustrative — verify against the current locally adopted edition for the site. Solar-method context: [NOAA Solar Calculation Details](https://gml.noaa.gov/grad/solcalc/calcdetails.html); the Harth monthly table uses a simpler declination and geometric-daylight approximation whose stated limitations must be retained. Project-date refinement reference: [NREL Solar Position Algorithm](https://midcdmz.nrel.gov/spa/).

Direct answer

For Hamilton at 43.2501, -79.8496, the declination-only solar-noon altitude is approximately 70.2° at the June solstice, 46.7° at an equinox and 23.3° at the December solstice. Refine these geometry checks with the project date, civil time, facade azimuth, terrain and local horizon. The reproducible location record is GeoNames ID 5969782 in administrative area 08, at 43.2501, -79.8496; replace it with the surveyed parcel point before relying on the result. As a transparent geometry check, declination-only solar-noon altitude is about 70.2° at the June solstice, 46.7° at an equinox and 23.3° at the December solstice. Representative 21st-day geometry ranges from about 8.8 hours in December to 15.2 hours in June; this excludes atmospheric refraction, terrain and obstruction effects. The cited national authority is a discovery starting point; current local documents and a named qualified reviewer control project use of this daylight and building orientation record.

Prepared by Harth · Topic-specific calculated asset and fresh SERP brief passed editorial screening; page remains noindex pending the independent content, evidence, similarity and link gates · Published 2026-08-26 · Updated 2026-09-02.

What must be verified for Hamilton?

Hamilton is represented here at approximately 43.2501, -79.8496 for discovery and workflow planning. A project address, parcel, elevation, exposure, authority, and submission date must replace that city-centre reference before design use.

How should daylight and building orientation be established?

  1. Fix the surveyed site and local time basis.
  2. Select an authoritative weather source or a named solar-position algorithm.
  3. Record period, percentile or scenario and units.
  4. Test sensitivity to elevation, exposure, urban form and horizon.
  5. Save the source file, retrieval date and checker in the model record.
InputProject-specific evidenceQA question
Sitesurveyed coordinates, elevation and horizonDoes the point represent the building?
Weather/solar methodnamed dataset, algorithm, period and time basisAre station, time zone and units explicit?
Design scenariocurrent and future scenario agreed by the teamIs an average being mistaken for an extreme?
Complianceadopted local document and editionWas applicability confirmed with the authority?

What are the limits of this worksheet?

This daylight-workflow page is a project-starting worksheet, not a design value or approval. The controlling authority and qualified professionals for the Hamilton site remain authoritative.

Hamilton monthly daylight-orientation ledger

Representative dateGeometric daylightSolar sunriseSolar sunsetSunrise hour angleNoon bearingChange from prior month
21 January9.309 h07.3516.6569.82°180.0°+0.520 h
21 February10.565 h06.7217.2879.24°180.0°+1.256 h
21 March11.949 h06.0317.9789.62°180.0°+1.384 h
21 April13.482 h05.2618.74101.11°180.0°+1.532 h
21 May14.691 h04.6519.35110.18°180.0°+1.209 h
21 June15.211 h04.3919.61114.08°180.0°+0.520 h
21 July14.737 h04.6319.37110.53°180.0°-0.474 h
21 August13.505 h05.2518.75101.29°180.0°-1.232 h
21 September11.975 h06.0117.9989.81°180.0°-1.530 h
21 October10.495 h06.7517.2578.71°180.0°-1.480 h
21 November9.263 h07.3716.6369.47°180.0°-1.232 h
21 December8.789 h07.6116.3965.92°180.0°-0.474 h

Orientation checks prompted by the Hamilton ledger

The representative daylight span runs from 8.789 hours on 21 December to 15.211 hours on 21 June. Solar sunrise and sunset are expressed in apparent solar time, not a time-zone clock. The noon-bearing column is a true-north azimuth screen and becomes unstable when the sun passes close to zenith.

For Hamilton at 43.2501°, -79.8496°, test each occupied facade against the actual horizon, adjacent buildings, glazing, room depth and target illuminance. This ledger describes geometric availability only; it does not estimate irradiance, daylight autonomy, glare or energy. Refine project-date positions with the NREL SPA.

Sources and method

Location data from the GeoNames CA dump (CC BY 4.0, snapshot 2026-08-31, GeoNames ID 5969782). Regulatory starting point: Codes Canada and the applicable provincial or territorial authority. Figures are illustrative — verify against the current locally adopted edition for the site. Solar-method context: NOAA Solar Calculation Details; the Harth monthly table uses a simpler declination and geometric-daylight approximation whose stated limitations must be retained. Project-date refinement reference: NREL Solar Position Algorithm.

Frequently asked questions

What does the daylight and building orientation record for Hamilton establish?

The daylight and building orientation record for Hamilton establishes a reproducible discovery point at 43.2501, -79.8496 (GeoNames ID 5969782, administrative area 08) and a Canada source path. It does not establish a final project value, approval or parcel decision.

What must be replaced before using this daylight and building orientation workflow for a project in Hamilton?

For the daylight and building orientation record in Hamilton, replace the 43.2501, -79.8496 city reference with the surveyed site or parcel, identify the competent local authority, and verify the current documents under National Building Code of Canada plus provincial, territorial, and municipal adoption. Record the edition, retrieval date, units, assumptions and named checker before relying on the result.

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