Solar & Daylight Data
Solar Shading Design: Richmond, Canada
How to research solar shading design for a specific site in Richmond — 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 6122085). 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 Richmond at 49.1700, -123.1368, the declination-only solar-noon altitude is approximately 64.3° at the June solstice, 40.8° at an equinox and 17.4° 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 6122085 in administrative area 02, at 49.1700, -123.1368; replace it with the surveyed parcel point before relying on the result. As a transparent geometry check, declination-only solar-noon altitude is about 64.3° at the June solstice, 40.8° at an equinox and 17.4° at the December solstice. Representative 21st-day geometry ranges from about 8.0 hours in December to 16.0 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 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 Richmond?
Richmond is represented here at approximately 49.1700, -123.1368 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 Richmond site remain authoritative.
Richmond horizontal-overhang screening worksheet
| Representative date | 09:00 altitude / P:H | Solar noon altitude / P:H | 15:00 altitude / P:H |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 January | 9.99° / 5.675 | 20.69° / 2.648 | 9.99° / 5.675 |
| 21 February | 17.83° / 3.109 | 29.60° / 1.760 | 17.83° / 3.109 |
| 21 March | 27.19° / 1.946 | 40.43° / 1.174 | 27.19° / 1.946 |
| 21 April | 37.21° / 1.317 | 52.41° / 0.770 | 37.21° / 1.317 |
| 21 May | 43.99° / 1.036 | 60.97° / 0.555 | 43.99° / 1.036 |
| 21 June | 46.49° / 0.949 | 64.28° / 0.482 | 46.49° / 0.949 |
| 21 July | 44.22° / 1.027 | 61.27° / 0.548 | 44.22° / 1.027 |
| 21 August | 37.36° / 1.310 | 52.58° / 0.765 | 37.36° / 1.310 |
| 21 September | 27.36° / 1.932 | 40.63° / 1.166 | 27.36° / 1.932 |
| 21 October | 17.37° / 3.198 | 29.08° / 1.798 | 17.37° / 3.198 |
| 21 November | 9.73° / 5.834 | 20.39° / 2.691 | 9.73° / 5.834 |
| 21 December | 7.07° / 8.066 | 17.38° / 3.195 | 7.07° / 8.066 |
Richmond 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 Richmond worksheet uses latitude 49.1700° and records longitude -123.1368°. 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: Richmond, Canada
- Solar Altitude & Azimuth: Richmond, Canada
- Daylight & Orientation: Richmond, Canada
- Solar Shading Design: Vancouver, Canada
- All solar & daylight data guidance for Canada
Sources and method
Location data from the GeoNames CA dump (CC BY 4.0, snapshot 2026-08-31, GeoNames ID 6122085). 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.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
What does the solar shading design record for Richmond establish?
The solar shading design record for Richmond establishes a reproducible discovery point at 49.1700, -123.1368 (GeoNames ID 6122085, administrative area 02) and a Canada 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 Richmond?
For the solar shading design record in Richmond, replace the 49.1700, -123.1368 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.
Related pages
- Solar Shading Design: Reef Al Fujairah City, UAE
Shading design for Reef Al Fujairah City, UAE: overhang P:H ratios at 09:00, noon and 15:00 by month; June noon altitude 88.3°.
- Solar Shading Design: Regina, Canada
Solar shading design for Regina, Canada: horizontal-overhang P:H ratios at 09:00, noon and 15:00 by month; June noon altitude 63.0°; sizing hand check.
- Solar Shading Design: Reservoir, Australia
Solar shading design for Reservoir, Australia: horizontal-overhang P:H ratios at 09:00, noon and 15:00 by month; June noon altitude 28.8°; sizing hand check.
- Solar Shading Design: Richmond Hill, Canada
Solar shading design for Richmond Hill, Canada: horizontal-overhang P:H ratios at 09:00, noon and 15:00 by month; June noon altitude 69.6°; sizing hand check.
- Solar Shading Design: Rockhampton, Australia
Solar shading design for Rockhampton, Australia: horizontal-overhang P:H ratios at 09:00, noon and 15:00 by month; June noon altitude 43.2°; sizing hand check.
- Solar Shading Design: Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Canada
Shading design for Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Canada: overhang P:H ratios at 09:00, noon and 15:00 by month; June noon altitude 67.9°.