SUN AND THE

DESIGN PROCESS

In the design of buildings that makes use of the principles of
passive cooling, one essential consideration is to understand
SOLAR GEOMETRY because the suns rays upon hitting the
earth vary with time and latitudes.
SOLAR GEOMETRY - describes the relationship between the
sun and earth or more importantly the relationship of solar
radiation, the product of the sun with any location on the
earth.
In concept, a specific site is made static and the sun allowed to
move from east to west across the sky. This is technically
called CELESTIAL SPHERE.
Sun Control
Warm Climates excessive solar gain result in
high cooling energy consumption.
Cold Climates south facing windows contribute
to passive solar heating.
RELATIONSHIP OF THE SUN
AND EARTH
SUN Main source of light and
heat . It is the closest star
to earth
Core- 15M degrees Celsius
Distance to Earth = 150M Kms.

- Apparently moves across the
sky at a rate of
15.04 deg/hr.
EARTH
The earth revolves in an
orbit around the sun. It
takes 365.25 days to
complete one revolution
around the sun.

Rotates about its polar
axis at 360.99 degrees
per day as it revolves
around the sun.

The period of rotation of
the earth in its axis is 23
hours 56 minutes and 4
seconds.




The Earths polar axis is
inclined at 23deg 47 from a
vertical to the earths orbital
plane
Inclination causes seasonal
changes on earth.





SOLSTICE - either of the two points on the ecliptic at which the sun
is overhead at the tropic of Cancer or Capricorn at the
summer and winter solstices.

(Astronomy) either the shortest day of the year (winter
solstice) or the longest day of the year (summer solstice)

SUMMER SOLSTICE - lies on the Tropic of Cancer at 2327 north latitude.

WINTER SOLSTICE - lies on the Tropic of Capricorn at 2327 south latitude.

EQUINOX - means "equal day and night

-occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the earths axis is inclined
neither away from nor towards the sun the center of the Sun being in
the same plane as the Earth's equator

-At an equinox, the Sun is at one of two opposite points on the
Celestial sphere where the celestial equator (i.e. declination 0)
and ecliptic intersect. These points of intersection are
called equinoctial points: classically, the vernal point and the autumnal
point.



Note : The inclination of the polar axis reaches its maximum on June 21
during the summer solstice where the sun would be at its farthest
northern position. Therefore, June 21
st
is considered longest day.

During the winter solstice, the inclination draws towards the sun
on December 21. The sun is at its nearest northern position.
It is on this day where we experience the shortest day.

As equinox means equal, on March 21 and September 21, both
northern and southern hemisphere experience equal amount of
solar radiation. During this period the sun rises and sets directly
to the position of east to west, respectively.
THE SUN PATH
The position of the sun is determined by two angles:
SOLAR ALTITUDE ANGLE
SOLAR AZIMUTH ANGLE
SOLAR ALTITUDE
Solar Altitude is the angular
height of the sun measured from
the Horizon. Above the horizon is
positive, below is negative. The
sun directly in the centre of the
sky has a Solar Altitude of 90
degrees.
SOLAR AZIMUTH
Solar Azimuth is the angular
position of the sun measured
around the Horizon with North
being 0 degrees, East 90 degrees,
South 180 degrees and West 270
degrees.
LATITUDES
FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE AMOUNT
OF SOLAR RADIATION ON EARTH
The position of the sun according to time and
day
The position of the sun according to the
season
Clouds and atmospheric obstructions
The angle of slope of the station
The height of the station
The situation of the station with regards to
its surroundings
THE SOLAR CHARTS