Sun Angle Calculator
Find the sun's position (azimuth and elevation) for any location and time.
Solar Position Data
Enter location to see sun data
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Calculate Sun Position & Angle for Any Location
Our Sun Angle Calculator determines the precise solar elevation and azimuth for any date, time, and location, essential for solar panel installation, photography, and architecture.
What is a Sun Angle Calculator?
A Sun Angle Calculator is a specialized tool that computes the position of the sun in the sky at any given moment for any location on Earth. It provides two key metrics: **solar elevation** (the sun's height above the horizon) and **solar azimuth** (the sun's direction along the horizon). This data is critical for architects designing energy-efficient buildings, photographers planning for optimal lighting, and homeowners positioning solar panels for maximum energy generation.
How It Works: Solar Position Algorithms
The calculator uses established astronomical algorithms from sources like NOAA to determine the sun's position. The process involves several steps:
1. Calculate Day of Year (n)
2. Calculate Solar Declination (δ) based on n
3. Calculate Equation of Time (EOT) based on n
4. Calculate Local Solar Time (LST) from Local Time, Longitude, and EOT
5. Calculate Hour Angle (H) from LST
6. Calculate Elevation and Azimuth from H, δ, and Latitude
- Enter Location: Input the latitude and longitude of your location.
- Enter Date and Time: Specify the exact date and local time for the calculation.
- Calculate: The tool performs the complex calculations to provide the sun's precise position.
Interpreting the Results: Elevation and Azimuth
You will receive two primary results: **Elevation** is the angle between the sun and the horizon (0° at sunrise/sunset, highest at solar noon). A high elevation means the sun is high in the sky. **Azimuth** is the compass direction of the sun, measured clockwise from due north (0°=N, 90°=E, 180°=S, 270°=W). These two coordinates pinpoint the sun's exact location. The calculator also provides sunrise, sunset, and solar noon times for the selected day.
Common Solar Myths
- Myth 1: Solar noon is always at 12:00 PM. Solar noon, the moment the sun is at its highest point, rarely occurs at exactly 12:00 PM local time. It is affected by your longitude within a time zone and the Equation of Time, which accounts for the Earth's orbital eccentricities.
- Myth 2: The sun rises due east and sets due west every day. This only happens on the spring and fall equinoxes. In the summer (in the Northern Hemisphere), the sun rises north of east and sets north of west. In the winter, it rises south of east and sets south of west.
- Myth 3: The Earth is closer to the sun in the summer. The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis (23.5°), not its distance from the sun. In fact, the Earth is slightly farther from the sun during the Northern Hemisphere's summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate the angle of the sun?
Calculating the sun's angle involves complex astronomical formulas that account for latitude, longitude, date, and time of day. Our Sun Angle Calculator uses these established algorithms to compute the sun's elevation (height above the horizon) and azimuth (direction along the horizon) for any location.
What is the difference between solar azimuth and elevation?
Solar elevation (or altitude) is the sun's vertical angle above the horizon (0° at sunrise, max at solar noon). Solar azimuth is the sun's horizontal direction, measured in degrees clockwise from due north (0° is North, 90° is East, 180° is South, 270° is West).
What time of day is the sun at a 45-degree angle?
The time when the sun is at a 45-degree angle varies greatly depending on your location (latitude) and the time of year. In mid-latitudes during the summer, this might occur mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Use our calculator for your specific location and date to find the exact times.
Why is knowing the sun angle important for solar panels?
Knowing the sun angle is crucial for optimizing solar panel efficiency. To generate the most power, solar panels should be tilted to be perpendicular to the sun's rays. Our calculator helps determine the sun's path throughout the day and year to find the optimal fixed or seasonal tilt angle for your panels.
Practical Applications
- Solar Panels: Determine the optimal tilt angle for your panels by finding the sun's elevation at solar noon during different seasons.
- Photography: Plan photoshoots for the "golden hour" (just after sunrise or before sunset) when the sun's elevation is low, creating soft, warm light.
- Gardening: Use the azimuth and elevation data to map out where shadows will fall in your garden throughout the day, ensuring you place plants in spots with appropriate sunlight.
- Architecture: Design buildings with windows and overhangs optimized to block high-elevation summer sun while allowing low-elevation winter sun to enter and provide passive heating.
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