Solar & Daylight Data
Solar Shading Design: Coffs Harbour, Australia
How to research solar shading design for a specific site in Coffs Harbour — 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 AU dump](https://download.geonames.org/export/dump/AU.zip) (CC BY 4.0, snapshot 2026-08-31, GeoNames ID 2171085). Regulatory starting point: [Australian Building Codes Board and the applicable state or territory authority](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/). 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 Coffs Harbour at -30.2963, 153.1135, the declination-only solar-noon altitude is approximately 36.3° at the June solstice, 59.7° at an equinox and 83.1° 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 2171085 in administrative area 02, at -30.2963, 153.1135; replace it with the surveyed parcel point before relying on the result. As a transparent geometry check, declination-only solar-noon altitude is about 36.3° at the June solstice, 59.7° at an equinox and 83.1° at the December solstice. Representative 21st-day geometry ranges from about 10.0 hours in June to 14.0 hours in December; 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 shading design 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 Coffs Harbour?
Coffs Harbour is represented here at approximately -30.2963, 153.1135 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 shading design 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 shading-workflow page is a project-starting worksheet, not a design value or approval. The controlling authority and qualified professionals for the Coffs Harbour site remain authoritative.
Coffs Harbour horizontal-overhang screening worksheet
| Representative date | 09:00 altitude / P:H | Solar noon altitude / P:H | 15:00 altitude / P:H |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 January | 48.32° / 0.890 | 79.84° / 0.179 | 48.32° / 0.890 |
| 21 February | 44.19° / 1.029 | 70.93° / 0.346 | 44.19° / 1.029 |
| 21 March | 37.88° / 1.285 | 60.11° / 0.575 | 37.88° / 1.285 |
| 21 April | 29.79° / 1.747 | 48.12° / 0.896 | 29.79° / 1.747 |
| 21 May | 23.55° / 2.294 | 39.57° / 1.210 | 23.55° / 2.294 |
| 21 June | 21.06° / 2.597 | 36.25° / 1.364 | 21.06° / 2.597 |
| 21 July | 23.32° / 2.319 | 39.26° / 1.223 | 23.32° / 2.319 |
| 21 August | 29.67° / 1.755 | 47.95° / 0.902 | 29.67° / 1.755 |
| 21 September | 37.76° / 1.291 | 59.91° / 0.580 | 37.76° / 1.291 |
| 21 October | 44.47° / 1.019 | 71.46° / 0.335 | 44.47° / 1.019 |
| 21 November | 48.44° / 0.887 | 80.15° / 0.174 | 48.44° / 0.887 |
| 21 December | 49.54° / 0.853 | 83.15° / 0.120 | 49.54° / 0.853 |
Coffs Harbour overhang sizing hand check
P:H is projection depth divided by the vertical facade distance to shade, calculated as 1 / tan(solar altitude). For a 1.20 m vertical target, multiply the table ratio by 1.20 m. The 09:00 and 15:00 columns use apparent solar time and show the solar-profile-plane ratio; they do not resolve facade azimuth, horizontal shadow displacement or a side-fin geometry.
The Coffs Harbour worksheet uses latitude -30.2963° and records longitude 153.1135°. A project study must replace the reference point, use the actual facade normal and obstruction mask, convert to civil time, test the full occupied period and account for diffuse sky, glazing and thermal performance. Refine solar positions with the NREL SPA.
Where can you explore related guidance?
- Explore all solar data guidance
- Sun Path: Coffs Harbour, Australia
- Solar Altitude & Azimuth: Coffs Harbour, Australia
- Daylight & Orientation: Coffs Harbour, Australia
- Solar Shading Design: Port Macquarie, Australia
- All solar & daylight data guidance for Australia
- Climate Design Data: Coffs Harbour, Australia
Sources and method
Location data from the GeoNames AU dump (CC BY 4.0, snapshot 2026-08-31, GeoNames ID 2171085). Regulatory starting point: Australian Building Codes Board and the applicable state or territory 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 shading design record for Coffs Harbour establish?
The solar shading design record for Coffs Harbour establishes a reproducible discovery point at -30.2963, 153.1135 (GeoNames ID 2171085, administrative area 02) and a Australia source path. It does not establish a final project value, approval or parcel decision.
What must be replaced before using this solar shading design workflow for a project in Coffs Harbour?
For the solar shading design record in Coffs Harbour, replace the -30.2963, 153.1135 city reference with the surveyed site or parcel, identify the competent local authority, and verify the current documents under National Construction Code plus state and territory variations. Record the edition, retrieval date, units, assumptions and named checker before relying on the result.
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