Sun Position Calculator
Calculate the sun position for a location, date, time, and time zone. This calculator returns solar elevation, solar zenith, solar azimuth, declination, hour angle, solar noon, and a sun path view for solar panel planning.
Use this page for sun position, solar elevation angle, solar zenith angle, solar declination, hour angle, solar azimuth angle, and sun path calculator queries. The page stays inside solar geometry and does not cover astrology, horoscope, ROI, or system sizing.
Calculate solar elevation, zenith, azimuth, declination, hour angle, solar noon, and sun path from location and time.
Your Sun Position Results
The sun position result outputs elevation, zenith, azimuth, declination, hour angle, solar noon, and a daily path table. Cards show the current moment. A table shows how the values change across the selected day.
Result cards:
| Output | Definition |
|---|---|
| Solar elevation | Sun height above the horizon |
| Solar zenith | Angle from vertical to the sun |
| Solar azimuth | Compass direction of the sun |
| Solar declination | Seasonal angle of the sun relative to Earth’s equator |
| Hour angle | Solar time offset from solar noon |
| Solar noon | Highest daily sun position |
Sun position changes by time and season.
Solar Elevation
Solar elevation measures the sun height above the horizon in degrees. A low elevation means the sun is close to the horizon. A high elevation means the sun is higher in the sky.
Solar elevation helps explain why winter panel tilt is steeper and summer panel tilt is flatter.
Solar Zenith
Solar zenith measures the angle from vertical to the sun. Zenith and elevation are complementary angles. When elevation is 40 degrees, zenith is 50 degrees.
Zenith matters because many solar-position formulas use the angle from vertical, while panel users often think in angle from horizontal.
Solar Azimuth
Solar azimuth measures the compass direction of the sun. It tells whether the sun is east, south, west, or another direction at the selected time.
Solar azimuth connects sun position to panel orientation. Panel azimuth and sun azimuth describe horizontal direction from true north.
Solar Declination and Hour Angle
Solar declination describes the seasonal position of the sun relative to Earth’s equator. Hour angle describes how far solar time is from solar noon.
Declination changes across the year. Hour angle changes across the day. Together, they explain the sun path curve.
Calculate the Sun Position for a Location, Date, and Time
Sun position depends on latitude, longitude, date, local time, and time zone. Each input changes the solar geometry state, so the calculator uses all 5 inputs to return elevation, zenith, azimuth, declination, hour angle, and sun path.
According to NREL solar-position research, solar zenith and azimuth can be calculated from location and time using solar-position algorithms. According to NOAA solar calculator documentation, location, date, time, and time zone are core sun-position inputs.
This calculator gives a mathematical estimate. Atmospheric refraction, local terrain, trees, buildings, and horizon obstructions can alter observed sunrise and sunset.
How to Use This Sun Position Calculator
Use this calculator in 6 steps:
- Enter location or latitude and longitude.
- Choose the date.
- Enter local time or use current time.
- Confirm the time zone.
- Read solar elevation, zenith, azimuth, declination, hour angle, solar noon, and sun path.
- Export the hourly table for solar-panel planning.
The result gives solar geometry values. The Solar Panel Angle Calculator converts those geometry concepts into panel tilt guidance.
Location Inputs
Geographic coordinates determine the observer position. Latitude measures north-south position. Longitude measures east-west position. Together, they define where the sky is observed from.
Address, city, ZIP code, and manual coordinates all resolve to latitude and longitude. Exact coordinates produce the strongest site-specific result.
Date and Time Inputs
Date and time determine the solar geometry state. Date changes solar declination across the year. Time changes hour angle across the day.
Morning values, solar noon values, and evening values differ because the sun moves across the sky. A daily table makes this change visible.
Time Zone and Solar Noon
Solar noon marks the time when the sun reaches its highest daily position at the selected location. Clock noon and solar noon are not always the same because longitude and time zone boundaries differ.
Time zone confirmation prevents a location result from using the wrong local clock offset.
Sun position changes by time and season.
How the Sun Path Chart Is Worked Out
A sun path chart plots solar elevation and solar azimuth across time. Morning points appear near the eastern horizon. Solar noon appears at the day’s highest elevation. Evening points move toward the western horizon.
The chart uses 4 display elements:
- Horizon line: shows 0-degree elevation.
- Sun path arc: shows movement across the day.
- Noon marker: shows the highest sun position.
- Hour markers: show changing azimuth and elevation.
Local terrain and buildings are not included unless a future shade tool adds horizon obstruction data.
Inputs, formulas, and limits stay connected.
Why Sun Position Matters for Solar Panel Angle
Sun position informs panel tilt and orientation because sunlight reaches the panel from a changing height and direction. Solar elevation connects to tilt. Solar azimuth connects to orientation. Seasonal declination explains why monthly and seasonal tilt values change.
Solar panel angle planning uses the same geometry family. Tilt aims the panel surface toward useful sun height. Orientation aims the panel face toward useful compass direction.
Use this page to understand solar geometry. Use the Solar Panel Angle Calculator for panel tilt. Use the Solar Orientation Calculator for panel direction.
Tilt + azimuth form the solar geometry pair.
Solar Elevation, Zenith, Azimuth, and Declination Explained
Solar geometry terms define the position of the sun in measurable values. These terms allow calculators to turn a sky position into panel tilt, orientation, shadow, and sun path decisions.
Key terms:
- Solar elevation: height above the horizon.
- Solar zenith: angle from vertical.
- Solar azimuth: compass direction from true north.
- Solar declination: seasonal sun angle relative to Earth’s equator.
- Hour angle: solar time distance from solar noon.
- Sun path: curve made by sun positions across a day.
These definitions keep the page practical. Full academic derivation belongs in a methodology page.
Elevation, zenith, and azimuth describe sun position.
What to Do After You Calculate Sun Position
Use sun-position data to plan tilt, orientation, and shadow review. Export the hourly table, then compare the result with the solar panel angle calculator, orientation calculator, and any on-site shade concerns.
Next actions:
- Export the daily sun-position table.
- Calculate solar panel tilt for the same location.
- Calculate solar orientation and roof azimuth.
- Review low sun angles for winter shade.
- Use PVWatts or installer software for production estimates.
According to NREL PVWatts documentation, PV performance estimates include assumptions and use tilt and azimuth inputs. Sun position supports those inputs, but it does not replace a full performance model.
Use this check when sun path, low winter sun, hourly values, or shadow timing needs a planning note before roof review. The check is optional and does not block the calculator result.
Choose your situation:
- Sun path question
- Low winter sun
- Hourly table needed
- Shadow timing
- Solar noon check
- Panel angle planning
Related Solar Position Guides
The sun position calculator links to geometry guides that define each output without splitting one calculator into duplicate tools. Use these pages when a result term needs deeper explanation.
Support pages connect to one calculator entity.
FAQs
What is sun position?
Sun position is the location of the sun in the sky at a specific place and time. It is described with elevation, zenith, azimuth, declination, and hour angle.
How do you calculate sun position?
Sun position is calculated from latitude, longitude, date, local time, and time zone. The output describes the sun’s height, direction, and solar-time state.
What inputs are needed for a sun position calculator?
A sun position calculator needs latitude, longitude, date, time, and time zone. Address or ZIP input works after it resolves to coordinates.
What is solar elevation angle?
Solar elevation angle is the sun’s height above the horizon. A 0-degree elevation sits on the horizon. A 90-degree elevation sits overhead.
What is solar zenith angle?
Solar zenith angle is the angle between vertical and the sun. Zenith equals 90 degrees minus solar elevation.
What is solar azimuth?
Solar azimuth is the sun’s compass direction measured in degrees from true north.
What is solar declination?
Solar declination is the seasonal angle of the sun relative to Earth’s equator. It changes across the year.
What is hour angle?
Hour angle is the sun’s angular distance from solar noon. Negative values represent morning. Positive values represent afternoon.
What is solar noon?
Solar noon is the time when the sun reaches its highest daily position at the selected location.
How does sun position affect solar panels?
Sun position affects panel tilt, azimuth, shadow length, seasonal adjustment, and the directness of sunlight on the panel surface.
Is NOAA solar calculator still maintained?
NOAA states that its old solar calculator is no longer actively maintained. It remains useful as a reference, but NREL solar-position research is the stronger technical authority.
Is this calculator accurate enough for engineering design?
This calculator gives an educational solar-position estimate. Engineering design requires project-specific methods, site survey data, and qualified review.