Solar & Daylight Data
Solar Altitude & Azimuth: Rathfarnham, Ireland
How to research solar altitude & azimuth for a specific site in Rathfarnham — 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 IE dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/IE.zip) (CC BY 4.0, snapshot 2026-08-31, GeoNames ID 2961911). Regulatory starting point: [Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the local building-control authority](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/building-standards/). 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 Rathfarnham at 53.3006, -6.2828, the declination-only solar-noon altitude is approximately 60.1° at the June solstice, 36.7° at an equinox and 13.3° 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 2961911 in administrative area L, at 53.3006, -6.2828; replace it with the surveyed parcel point before relying on the result. As a transparent geometry check, declination-only solar-noon altitude is about 60.1° at the June solstice, 36.7° at an equinox and 13.3° at the December solstice. Representative 21st-day geometry ranges from about 7.3 hours in December to 16.7 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 solar altitude and azimuth 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 Rathfarnham?
Rathfarnham is represented here at approximately 53.3006, -6.2828 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 solar altitude and azimuth be established?
- Fix the surveyed site and local time basis.
- Select an authoritative weather source or a named solar-position algorithm.
- Record period, percentile or scenario and units.
- Test sensitivity to elevation, exposure, urban form and horizon.
- Save the source file, retrieval date and checker in the model record.
| Input | Project-specific evidence | QA question |
|---|---|---|
| Site | surveyed coordinates, elevation and horizon | Does the point represent the building? |
| Weather/solar method | named dataset, algorithm, period and time basis | Are station, time zone and units explicit? |
| Design scenario | current and future scenario agreed by the team | Is an average being mistaken for an extreme? |
| Compliance | adopted local document and edition | Was applicability confirmed with the authority? |
What are the limits of this worksheet?
This solar-angle-workflow page is a project-starting worksheet, not a design value or approval. The controlling authority and qualified professionals for the Rathfarnham site remain authoritative.
Rathfarnham apparent-solar-time altitude and azimuth matrix
| Representative date | Apparent solar time | Hour angle | Altitude | Azimuth from north |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 January | 08:00 | -60° | 0.26° | 125.60° |
| 21 January | 10:00 | -30° | 12.11° | 151.31° |
| 21 January | 12:00 | +0° | 16.56° | 180.00° |
| 21 January | 14:00 | +30° | 12.11° | 208.69° |
| 21 January | 16:00 | +60° | 0.26° | 234.40° |
| 21 February | 08:00 | -60° | 7.87° | 120.96° |
| 21 February | 10:00 | -30° | 20.58° | 148.41° |
| 21 February | 12:00 | +0° | 25.47° | 180.00° |
| 21 February | 14:00 | +30° | 20.58° | 211.59° |
| 21 February | 16:00 | +60° | 7.87° | 239.04° |
| 21 March | 08:00 | -60° | 17.05° | 115.07° |
| 21 March | 10:00 | -30° | 30.79° | 144.41° |
| 21 March | 12:00 | +0° | 36.30° | 180.00° |
| 21 March | 14:00 | +30° | 30.79° | 215.59° |
| 21 March | 16:00 | +60° | 17.05° | 244.93° |
| 21 April | 08:00 | -60° | 26.98° | 107.82° |
| 21 April | 10:00 | -30° | 41.91° | 138.84° |
| 21 April | 12:00 | +0° | 48.28° | 180.00° |
| 21 April | 14:00 | +30° | 41.91° | 221.16° |
| 21 April | 16:00 | +60° | 26.98° | 252.18° |
| 21 May | 08:00 | -60° | 33.82° | 101.85° |
| 21 May | 10:00 | -30° | 49.64° | 133.54° |
| 21 May | 12:00 | +0° | 56.84° | 180.00° |
| 21 May | 14:00 | +30° | 49.64° | 226.46° |
| 21 May | 16:00 | +60° | 33.82° | 258.15° |
| 21 June | 08:00 | -60° | 36.38° | 99.29° |
| 21 June | 10:00 | -30° | 52.55° | 131.03° |
| 21 June | 12:00 | +0° | 60.15° | 180.00° |
| 21 June | 14:00 | +30° | 52.55° | 228.97° |
| 21 June | 16:00 | +60° | 36.38° | 260.71° |
| 21 July | 08:00 | -60° | 34.06° | 101.62° |
| 21 July | 10:00 | -30° | 49.91° | 133.33° |
| 21 July | 12:00 | +0° | 57.14° | 180.00° |
| 21 July | 14:00 | +30° | 49.91° | 226.67° |
| 21 July | 16:00 | +60° | 34.06° | 258.38° |
| 21 August | 08:00 | -60° | 27.12° | 107.71° |
| 21 August | 10:00 | -30° | 42.07° | 138.74° |
| 21 August | 12:00 | +0° | 48.45° | 180.00° |
| 21 August | 14:00 | +30° | 42.07° | 221.26° |
| 21 August | 16:00 | +60° | 27.12° | 252.29° |
| 21 September | 08:00 | -60° | 17.22° | 114.95° |
| 21 September | 10:00 | -30° | 30.98° | 144.33° |
| 21 September | 12:00 | +0° | 36.50° | 180.00° |
| 21 September | 14:00 | +30° | 30.98° | 215.67° |
| 21 September | 16:00 | +60° | 17.22° | 245.05° |
| 21 October | 08:00 | -60° | 7.42° | 121.24° |
| 21 October | 10:00 | -30° | 20.08° | 148.59° |
| 21 October | 12:00 | +0° | 24.95° | 180.00° |
| 21 October | 14:00 | +30° | 20.08° | 211.41° |
| 21 October | 16:00 | +60° | 7.42° | 238.76° |
| 21 November | 08:00 | -60° | -0.00° (below horizon) | 125.76° |
| 21 November | 10:00 | -30° | 11.83° | 151.40° |
| 21 November | 12:00 | +0° | 16.26° | 180.00° |
| 21 November | 14:00 | +30° | 11.83° | 208.60° |
| 21 November | 16:00 | +60° | -0.00° (below horizon) | 234.24° |
| 21 December | 08:00 | -60° | -2.58° (below horizon) | 127.32° |
| 21 December | 10:00 | -30° | 8.96° | 152.33° |
| 21 December | 12:00 | +0° | 13.25° | 180.00° |
| 21 December | 14:00 | +30° | 8.96° | 207.67° |
| 21 December | 16:00 | +60° | -2.58° (below horizon) | 232.68° |
How to use the Rathfarnham angle matrix
The matrix fixes latitude 53.3006° and records longitude -6.2828°, but its clock column is apparent solar time rather than civil time. Convert the project date and longitude with a reviewed solar-position implementation before transferring an angle into a model. Azimuth is clockwise from true north. Rows below the geometric horizon are retained to make the screening limit visible; refraction, terrain and obstructions can change observed sunrise and sunset.
Harth calculated this solar altitude & azimuth matrix with the Cooper declination approximation and spherical altitude/azimuth equations. It is a reproducible comparison asset, not a surveyed horizon or construction setting. Refine it with the NREL Solar Position Algorithm.
Where can you explore related guidance?
- Explore all solar data guidance
- Sun Path: Rathfarnham, Ireland
- Solar Shading Design: Rathfarnham, Ireland
- Daylight & Orientation: Rathfarnham, Ireland
- Solar Altitude & Azimuth: Dublin, Ireland
- All solar & daylight data guidance for Ireland
Sources and method
Location data from the GeoNames IE dump (CC BY 4.0, snapshot 2026-08-31, GeoNames ID 2961911). Regulatory starting point: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the local building-control 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.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
What does the solar altitude and azimuth record for Rathfarnham establish?
The solar altitude and azimuth record for Rathfarnham establishes a reproducible discovery point at 53.3006, -6.2828 (GeoNames ID 2961911, administrative area L) and a Ireland source path. It does not establish a final project value, approval or parcel decision.
What must be replaced before using this solar altitude and azimuth workflow for a project in Rathfarnham?
For the solar altitude and azimuth record in Rathfarnham, replace the 53.3006, -6.2828 city reference with the surveyed site or parcel, identify the competent local authority, and verify the current documents under Building Regulations and Technical Guidance Documents. Record the edition, retrieval date, units, assumptions and named checker before relying on the result.
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