Architecture
Solar Angle Calculator
Where's the sun? Plug in your latitude + date + solar time. Get altitude (above horizon) and azimuth (compass direction). For overhang sizing, shading studies, PV layout.
FAQ
What's altitude vs azimuth? +
Altitude = angle above horizon (0° = sunrise/sunset, 90° = directly overhead). Azimuth = compass bearing (0° N, 90° E, 180° S, 270° W). South for northern hemisphere is generally 180°.
Solar time vs clock time? +
Solar noon is when the sun is at its highest point (south, in N. hemisphere). Clock noon and solar noon usually differ by 0-45 min depending on longitude and DST. This calc assumes solar time.
What's declination? +
The sun's "tilt" relative to Earth's equator. -23.45° at winter solstice, +23.45° at summer solstice, 0° at equinoxes.
How do I size an overhang? +
For south-facing windows: overhang depth ≈ window_height / tan(noon_altitude_summer). Block summer sun, let in winter sun. Use altitudes at solstices to design the depth.