Informing designers of areas of permanent shadow
A shadow analysis accurately traces the sun’s path across the proposed development to generate image of shadows as a function of time throughout the year. Existing buildings are added to the 3D model to understand the affect of the shadows they cast (or receive) have on the proposed design. Results can be provided as an animation or as a series of images illustrating the shadow(s) cast for any specific time throughout the year. The shadow analysis is used to inform the building designer where there are areas of permanent shadow which may be beneficial or detrimental depending on the climate of the site.
Since the shadow analysis tracks the path of the sun, it can also be used to calculate the amount of thermal radiation that building facades receive throughout the day. This information can be used to aid the location of photovoltaic (PV) installations and also used to calculate internal HVAC requirements.
