Site and Solar Analysis Tools

Site and Solar Analysis Tools

Pilkington Pilkington Sun Chart

  • Plots the sun’s altitude (angle from the horizon), azimuth (angle from True South), and incidence (angle between the sun and surface)
  • Determines the sun’s position in the sky throughout the year
  • Available in the Baker Lighting Lab for check-out (various latitudes available)
  • Use in conjunction with a Solar Transit to create a shading mask
  • Use to design shading devices
  • Pilkington Sun Chart instructions: www.sbse.org/resources/sac/PSAC_Manual.pdf
Sun Peg Chart Sun Peg Chart

  • Tracks the sun’s path throughout the year
  • Available in MEEB 10 (Appendix D, page 1535)
  • Use in Baker Lab with the artificial sun or outside with the sun, a tripod and/or bowling ball heliodon to analyze a shading device or daylighting model.
Solmetric Sun Eye Solmetric Sun Eye

  • Calculates solar access
  • Detects shading obstructions
  • Plots sun paths based on location
  • Simulates removal or addition of shading objects or structures
  • Self-orients and accommodates all panel orientations (tilt and azimuth)
  • INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
  • MANUALS:
  • QUICK START GUIDE
  • USERS GUIDE
Solar Pathfinder Solar Pathfinder
Solar Transit Solar Transit

  • Plots the existing natural lighting conditions at a particular site
  • Accounts for the actual lighting conditions, including any obstructions (i.e. skyline with buildings, trees, etc.)
  • Available in the Baker Lighting Lab for check-out
  • Use in conjunction with a tripod and a Pilkington Sun Chart to create a shading mask
  • INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
  • MANUAL
heliodon_website Heliodon

  • Simulates the sun’s path throughout the year using an artificial sun
  • Available in the Baker Lighting Lab for pre-approved /monitored use only
  • Use to evaluate a shading device or daylighting model
Bowling ball Heliodon Bowling Ball Heliodon

  • Simulates the rotation of the earth
  • Available in Baker Lighting Lab for check-out
  • Use in conjunction with the sun and sun peg chart to analyze a shading device or daylighting model
  • INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Manfrotto Tripod Manfrotto Tripod

  • Used with Solar Transit and Sun Eye
  • MANUAL
References References

  • Mechanical and electrical equipment for buildings (12th ed). Grondzik, W., & Kwok, Alison G. (2014)
  • Sun, Wind, & Light: Architectural design strategies (2nd ed.). Brown, G., & DeKay, Mark. (2001).
  • Green studio handbook : Environmental strategies for schematic design (2nd ed.). Kwok, A., & Grondzik, Walter T. (2011).
  • Pilkington Sun Chart www.sbse.org/resources/sac/PSAC_Manual.pdf
Kestrel Weather Meter Kestrel Weather Meter
Suunto Global Compass and Altimeter Suunto Global Compass and Altimeter
AAA Student Services Other Site Analysis Tools

  • Be sure to check with AAA Student Services, 106 Lawrence Hall, for additional site analysis tools
  • Tape measures, reel tape rules, levels
  • Safety gear
  • Tripods, cameras, etc.