we are looking for an analysis tool for determining sun angle/path for home siting and window/roofline placement. thanks
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Go to http://www.countryplans.com
Somewhere in there he has a "solar kit". All the charts, verbage and tips that you need to site your house.
I have a customer that is in the early stages of planning a new house and the architect will be modeling this. I'm not sure if it's a real (physical) model or a computer simulation, but it sounds interesting.
If you're working with an architect, they may know about this. If you aren't, an architechtural firm may be able to help you.
Check your local library for a copy of Solar Energy: Fundementals In Building Design by Bruce Anderson. Not sure if it's still in print. There's a section on solar angles and shading that may be helpful as well as siting info. When I was in school (it's been a while) we created the building as a solid model in AutoCad. then imported the model into 3DViz or 3DStudioMax. Pick the latitude and longitude, time of year, building orientation, etc and you see how the sun fell on the building and how it looked in the rooms, at different times of the year. Not practical for an owner/builder unless you own the programs (expensive) and are proficient in their use but if the home and/ or site is complex it may be worthwhile to spend the $ and have an architecture firm do the modeling.
Thanks much, that was just the information I was looking for, appreciate you taking time to line me out on that.
Try this website:
http://www.srrb.noaa.gov/highlights/sunrise/azel.html
I used this to test sizes of overhangs and window placement.
thanks much, this looks great, appreciate your taking time to send it on...
Also look for a copy of Passive Solar Energy Book by Ed Mazria ... I think the professional version has what you are looking for ... in the form of some handy templates provided w/ the book. This book is the classic passive solar book and has a chapter on exactly what you are looking for.
01/30/2006
Be patient my son, new problems and requests for information will come..............