Solar & Daylight Data
Sun Path & Solar Angles for San Francisco, CA
Calculated solar-noon angles and a first-pass fixed-shading worksheet for San Francisco, CA, using transparent solar geometry rather than an unexplained chart.
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Last updated August 17, 2026 · Original calculation using latitude 37.7749° N and declinations +23.44°, 0°, and -23.44°. Formula: altitude = 90° - |latitude - declination|. Time zone: America/Los_Angeles. Verify occupied-hour positions with the NOAA Solar Calculator; values omit refraction, equation of time, terrain, obstructions, and facade azimuth.
Direct answer
Calculated solar-noon angles and a first-pass fixed-shading worksheet for San Francisco, CA, using transparent solar geometry rather than an unexplained chart. A key reference is latitude: 37.7749° N; check the cited source, edition, units, and applicability before using it for design, compliance, procurement, or approval. Latitude is 37.7749° N; San Francisco, CA. June solstice noon is 75.7°; south at solar noon. Equinox noon is 52.2°; geometric solar noon. Projection ratio = 1 / tan(solar altitude). Multiply the ratio by the vertical distance the noon shadow must cover. Use this only as a hand check before a full-year study. Read the values with the cited source, edition or observation period, units and applicability; replace illustrative inputs with current project evidence before design, procurement or approval use.
Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-08-17 · Updated 2026-08-17.
Which solar conditions control the result?
| Date | Declination | Altitude | Projection / vertical shade distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| June solstice | +23.44° | 75.67° | 0.256 |
| Equinox | 0° | 52.23° | 0.775 |
| December solstice | -23.44° | 28.79° | 1.820 |
Projection ratio = 1 / tan(solar altitude). Multiply the ratio by the vertical distance the noon shadow must cover. Use this only as a hand check before a full-year study.
San Francisco, CA shading record
Record facade azimuth, window head and sill, overhang height, required shaded dates and hours, coordinates (37.7749° N), time zone (America/Los_Angeles), calculation method, surrounding obstructions, reviewer and date. Compare the full model against the three noon ratios above and retain screenshots of the critical summer and shoulder-season hours. Verify hourly positions with the NOAA Solar Calculator.
Where can you explore related guidance?
- Explore all solar data guidance
- Understanding Sun-Path Diagrams
- Solar Altitude and Azimuth Explained
- Climate Design Data Workflow for San Francisco, CA
Sources and method
Original calculation using latitude 37.7749° N and declinations +23.44°, 0°, and -23.44°. Formula: altitude = 90° - |latitude - declination|. Time zone: America/Los_Angeles. Verify occupied-hour positions with the NOAA Solar Calculator; values omit refraction, equation of time, terrain, obstructions, and facade azimuth.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
What is the sun angle in San Francisco, CA at the summer solstice?
The declination-only solar-noon altitude is approximately 75.7°. This is a transparent geometry check, not a substitute for an hourly solar-position calculation.
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