Calculate the sun's elevation and azimuth angle for any location and time
Sun angle refers to the position of the sun in the sky relative to a specific location on Earth at a given time. It is defined by two primary coordinates: solar elevation (altitude) and solar azimuth. These measurements are essential for understanding how sunlight reaches a particular point on Earth's surface throughout the day and across seasons.
Solar elevation is the angle of the sun above the horizon, ranging from 0° when the sun is at the horizon to 90° when it is directly overhead (at zenith). Solar azimuth is the compass direction from which sunlight is coming, measured clockwise from true north. Together, these angles completely describe the sun's position in the celestial sphere.
Understanding sun angles is crucial for optimizing solar panel installations, designing passive solar architecture, planning outdoor photography sessions, predicting shadows for construction projects, and determining optimal building orientations. Agricultural applications also rely on sun angle calculations for crop planning and greenhouse positioning.
This calculator uses simplified solar position algorithms for speed. The results are typically accurate to ±1–3 degrees. For high-precision applications (solar energy systems, astronomical observations), use specialized software that accounts for atmospheric refraction, orbital perturbations, and precise time standards.
Step 1: Enter your geographic coordinates. Latitude values are positive for North and negative for South. Longitude values are positive for East and negative for West. You can find your coordinates using GPS or online tools.
Step 2: Select the date and local time for which you want to calculate the sun's position. The calculator uses your local time zone, so enter the time as it appears on your clock.
Step 3: Review the calculated results. The solar elevation shows how high the sun is in the sky, the azimuth shows the compass direction, and the declination shows the sun's position relative to Earth's equator.
A solar panel installer in Los Angeles wants to determine the sun's position at solar noon on the summer solstice (June 21, 2026) to optimize panel orientation.
At solar noon on the summer solstice, the sun is nearly overhead in Los Angeles (79.52° elevation) and due south (180° azimuth). This information helps the installer determine that panels should be tilted at about 10-15° from horizontal and facing south to maximize annual energy production.
Solar noon is when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky for a specific location. It rarely coincides with 12:00 PM local time due to time zones and the Equation of Time, which accounts for Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt.
Latitude significantly impacts sun angle. In the Northern Hemisphere, locations farther north experience lower sun angles, especially in winter. At the North Pole, the sun remains below the horizon for six months during polar night.
The Equation of Time accounts for the difference between apparent solar time (sundial time) and mean solar time (clock time). This variation, caused by Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt, can be up to ±16 minutes throughout the year.
Solar panel azimuth determines which direction panels face. In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing panels (180° azimuth) typically maximize annual energy production. Optimal azimuth varies by latitude and local climate patterns.
Solar declination is the angle between the sun's rays and Earth's equatorial plane. It ranges from -23.45° at winter solstice to +23.45° at summer solstice, returning to 0° at the equinoxes. This variation creates the seasons.
This calculator uses a simplified solar position algorithm that is accurate to within 1-2° for most applications. For highly precise astronomical calculations or scientific research, specialized algorithms like NREL's SPA should be used.
The sun reaches zenith (90° elevation, directly overhead) only in the tropics, between the Tropic of Cancer (23.45°N) and Tropic of Capricorn (23.45°S). Outside these latitudes, the sun never reaches zenith.
Photographers use sun angles to plan golden hour shoots (low elevation), avoid harsh midday shadows (high elevation), and predict lighting direction (azimuth). Apps and websites often use these calculations for location scouting.
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