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Solar Elevation Angle Formula:
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The solar elevation angle is the angle between the horizon and the center of the sun's disc. It determines how high the sun appears in the sky and affects sunlight intensity, shadow length, and solar energy reception.
The calculator uses the solar elevation angle formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the sun's position relative to the horizon based on geographic location, time of year, and time of day.
Details: Solar elevation angle is crucial for solar energy system design, architecture, photography, agriculture, and understanding seasonal sunlight patterns. It affects solar panel efficiency, building heating, and daylight duration.
Tips: Enter latitude in degrees (-90 to +90), declination in degrees (-23.45 to +23.45), and hour angle in degrees (-180 to +180). All values must be valid numeric inputs.
Q1: What is solar declination?
A: Solar declination is the angle between the rays of the sun and the plane of the Earth's equator. It varies throughout the year due to Earth's axial tilt.
Q2: How is hour angle calculated?
A: Hour angle = 15° × (solar time - 12), where solar time is the time based on the sun's position. Each hour corresponds to 15 degrees.
Q3: What is the maximum possible solar elevation?
A: The maximum solar elevation occurs at solar noon and depends on latitude and declination. At the equator during equinoxes, it reaches 90° (directly overhead).
Q4: How does solar elevation affect sunlight intensity?
A: Higher solar elevation angles result in more direct sunlight and greater intensity, while lower angles create longer atmospheric path lengths and reduced intensity.
Q5: Why is this calculation important for solar panels?
A: Solar elevation helps determine optimal panel tilt angles for maximum energy capture throughout the year and different seasons.