Reading Sun Path

Diagrams
Sun path diagram for regions found on the Tropic of Capricorn. (22.5˚S) Find the solar azimuth and altitude on April 1st at 9:00AM.
Sun path diagram for regions found on the Tropic of Capricorn. (22.5˚S) Find the solar azimuth and altitude on April 1st at 9:00AM.
Sun path diagram for regions found on the Tropic of Capricorn. (22.5˚S) Find the solar azimuth and altitude on April 1st at 9:00AM.
Sun path diagram for regions found on the Tropic of Capricorn. (22.5˚S) Find the solar azimuth and altitude on April 1st at 9:00AM.
 AZIMUTH=62˚
ALTITUDE=30˚

Sun path diagram for regions found on the Tropic of Capricorn. (22.5˚S) Find the solar azimuth and altitude on April 1st at 9:00AM.
Shading Design
Incident solar radiation

Solar radiation incident on a

window consists of three
components:

 Beam/direct radiation
 Diffuse (sky)
 Reflected radiation
Use

External shading devices can

eliminate the beam component
(which is normally the largest)
and reduce the diffuse
component.

The design of such shading

devices employs two shadow
angles: HSA and VSA.
HORIZONTAL SHADOW ANGLE, HSA

Horizontal shadow angle (HSA)

is the difference in azimuth
between the sun's position and
the orientation of the building
face considered.

HSA = AZI - ORI

Sample Problem #1

Givens:
 Sun path diagram
 Building orientation
 Date and time

Steps:
1. Find azimuth and altitude
2. Compute for HSA and/or VSA
(depending on the face
considered)
Sample Problem #1

Design the most efficient

vertical and horizontal shading
devices considering the sun’s
position on May 16, at 2:00PM.
Sample Problem #1

Step 1:
Find solar azimuth and altitude.

On May 16, at 2:00PM

Sample Problem #1

Step 1:
Find solar azimuth and altitude.

On May 16, at 2:00PM

AZIMUTH = 277˚
ALTITUDE = 60˚
Sample Problem #1

Step 2:
Compute for the HSA.

HSA = AZI – ORI, where

AZI = sun’s azimuth

ORI = orientation of the building
face considered
Sample Problem #1

Step 2:
Compute for the HSA.

HSA = AZI – ORI

To get the value of ORI, draw a

perpendicular line on the building
face considered and extend to the
azimuth lines.
Sample Problem #1

Step 2:
Compute for the HSA.

HSA = AZI – ORI

AZI = 277˚
ORI = 315˚

HSA = 277˚ - 315˚ = -25˚

Conventions

HSA = AZI – ORI

 If AZI < ORI, HSA is (–) and the

sun is counter clockwise (-)˚
from the orientation

 If AZI > ORI, HSA is (+) and the

sun is clockwise from the
orientation.
(+)˚
Sample Problem #2

HSA = AZI – ORI

AZI = 277˚
ORI = 225˚
Sample Problem #2

HSA = AZI – ORI

AZI = 277˚
ORI = 225˚

HSA = 277˚ - 225˚ = +52˚

(+)˚
 -a˚
-a˚

-a˚
+a˚

Many combinations of vertical elements can give the same shading performance.
VERTICAL SHADOW ANGLE, VSA

Vertical shadow angle (VSA) is

measured on a plane
perpendicular to the building
face.

VSA = arctan(tanALT/cosHSA)
Sample Problem #1

AZI = 277˚
ALT = 60 ˚
ORI = 225˚
HSA = +52˚

VSA = arctan(tanALT/cosHSA)
VSA = arctan(tan60/cos52)

VSA = 70.43˚
Sample Problem #1

AZI = 277˚
ALT = 60 ˚
ORI = 225˚
HSA = +52˚

VSA = arctan(tanALT/cosHSA)
VSA = arctan(tan60/cos52)

VSA = 70.43˚
Other Considerations

 The airflow through the openings should be

reduced the least possible, never stopped
completely.
 The view should not be obstructed.
 Daylight should not be reduced too much.
Design Detail Guidelines

 Use materials with a low thermal capacity.

 Adjustable shading devices can balance
seasonal differences.
 Lighter-coloured shading devices reflect more
heat, and those with light coloured undersides
make better use of daylight than dark coloured.
Design Detail Guidelines

 Horizontal shading elements should be

detached from the facade, so that rising warm
air is not prevented from escaping (10-20cm
gap).
 Thermal bridges between the building structure
and shading elements should be kept to a
minimum.
Elimination of thermal bridges.