04 - How to Track Sun Angles when Designing Your Home
This is Season 1, Ep. 4 of the Affordable High-Performance Home.
When designing a home, tracking sun angles is crucial for optimizing views, managing sunlight, and maximizing solar energy.
Understanding Solar Angles
The sun's position in the sky changes throughout the day and year.
These changes are defined by the sun's altitude (angle above the horizon) and azimuth (angle relative to north).
Summer Solstice: The sun reaches its highest altitude, resulting in longer days and shorter shadows.
Winter Solstice: The sun reaches its lowest altitude, leading to shorter days and longer shadows. Tracking Sun Angles for Home Design
1. Site Analysis
Determine the site's latitude and orientation.
Use sun path diagrams or solar analysis software to visualize the sun's position throughout the year. These tools can show altitude and azimuth angles for different times and dates.
Consider local climate data, including average temperatures and cloud cover.
2. Available Views
Maximize desirable views by orienting windows and outdoor spaces to capture scenic vistas.
However, consider the sun's path to avoid excessive glare or heat gain. For example, west-facing windows can provide stunning sunset views but may require shading to prevent overheating in the afternoon.
During the winter solstice, the sun is lower, so views that would be fully in the shade during the summer may have direct sunlight during the winter.
3. Sunlight Removal (Shading)
Design overhangs, awnings, or vertical fins to block direct sunlight during the summer months, reducing heat gain and cooling costs.
Consider deciduous trees, which provide shade in the summer and allow sunlight to pass through in the winter.
Use low-E glass or solar control window films to minimize heat transfer.
During the summer solstice, because of the high sun angle, overhead shading is more effective.
During the winter solstice, because of the low sun angle, side shading is less effective, and maximizing direct solar gain is often preferred.
4. Sunlight Harvesting (Passive Solar Design)
Orient the home to maximize solar gain during the winter months, reducing heating costs.
Incorporate large south-facing windows (in the Northern Hemisphere) to capture sunlight.
Use thermal mass materials (e.g., concrete, brick, stone) to absorb and store solar heat, releasing it later when needed.
During the winter solstice, maximizing the amount of direct sunlight on thermal mass is very important.
During the summer solstice, minimizing the amount of direct sunlight on the thermal mass is very important.
Consider the solar angle when placing solar panels for optimal energy production.
By carefully considering sun angles and implementing appropriate design strategies, homeowners can create a comfortable, energy-efficient, and high-performance home more affordably.
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