Sun Path Diagram

Sun Path
Sun path refers to the apparent significant

seasonal-and-hourly positional changes of the

sun (and length of daylight) as the Earth rotates,
and orbits around the sun.
The relative position of the sun is a major factor in
the heat gain of buildings and in the performance
of solar energy systems.

Sun Path
Accurate location-specific knowledge of sun path

and climatic conditions is essential for

economic decisions about solar collector area,
orientation,
landscaping,
summer shading, and
the cost-effective use of solar trackers.

Importance of Sun Path

By analysing the impact of the sun on a site, as well

as the buildings location, the spatial arrangement,

orientation, window placement, daylight access and
other design features, the designer can take full
advantage of passive solar design features and
increase the energy efficiency and comfort of the
building.

assessing a site for sun

sun paths
altitude and azimuth
solar radiation
building material durability
shade
sites with limited solar gain
locating information

Assessing a site for sun

When assessing a site for sun, consider:
the time during the day that the site receives

sunlight
the suns path at different times of the day and year
how the sites shape, slope and orientation affect
solar access
how obstructions such as adjacent buildings, trees
and landforms will impact on the site and the
potential design
the owners lifestyle for example, when they want
to have sun or shade.

Sun paths
The simplest way to assess the passage of sun

across a site is by observation.

A site visit can also help identify site-specific
conditions such as the impact of a tree or a
ridgeline.
Sun path diagrams provide a broader overview of
sun on a site as they map the path of the sun
across the sky at different times during the day
throughout the year.
They can help establish the position of the sun
relative to a site and can be used to determine
the effect of shadows cast by buildings, trees and
landforms on and around the site.

Altitude and azimuth

The position of the sun with respect to an observer is

commonly represented by two angles altitude and

azimuth.
Altitude is the angle of the suns rays compared with the

horizon. At sunrise and sunset, the altitude is zero, and

in the southern hemisphere, the maximum altitude of the
sun at any specific location occurs at solar noon on
21/22 December (longest days of the year).
Azimuth (sometimes known as bearing) is the direction

of the sun as shown on a compass. Sun bearings at

sunrise and sunset at different latitudes are available
from Land Information astronomical information.

Solar radiation
Solar or ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the energy

from the sun. The amount of solar radiation

available on a site depends on the latitude and
the sunlight hours received.

Building material durability

UV radiation affects the durability of many

materials. Colours fade, plastic-based materials

may become brittle, timber moves and twists, and
expansion and contraction from heating and
cooling places stress on many materials, so the
effect of UV radiation over a buildings lifetime
must be considered.
Select materials with a higher UV index number
(when available) as they are more resistant to UV
degradation (such as fading).

Shade
Shade is often required in the summer, especially

in hot areas of our country. Obstructions on a site

may block sunlight access at times when it is
required.
When considering sunlight and building design,
assess the impact of obstructions in the future as
well as the present. For example, a small tree on
an adjacent site may grow into a large one that
blocks sun, a building may be erected on a
currently vacant site or an existing building may
be demolished and replaced by a larger one.
Alternatively, existing trees may be retained for
summer shade.

Sites with limited solar access

South and west-facing, sloping sites have limited

solar access.
It is difficult to utilise effective passive solar
design features on these sites, and they should
generally be avoided.
Where it is not possible to avoid or the site is an
otherwise desirable one (e.g. if it has excellent
views), careful consideration of design including
building location (e.g. locate as high as possible
on the site), orientation and use of
skylights/clerestories can maximise the benefits
of solar access.

Locating information
information about sunshine hours and mean

temperatures is available from local meteorological

agencies/Dept. (IMD).
Aerial photographs can provide information about the
buildings and vegetation on adjacent sites and may
provide some limited information about the impact of
sun on a site.
This will depend on the age of the photo as in older

photos, trees may have grown.

Aerial images can be obtained from local councils,
Google Earth, Etc..
Sun impact information is also available:
by carrying out an on-site survey to establish levels of

adjacent buildings and site features.

obtaining plans of neighbouring buildings from local
councils.

Sun Path Diagram for Mumbai