Solar Analysis
Solar analysis
Sun and shade are key factors in how people perceive and experience outdoor spaces. Excessive solar exposure can create uncomfortable conditions, while too much shade can limit the usability of outdoor areas during cooler seasons.
Orbital Stack’s Solar Analysis helps designers understand how sunlight, shadows, and solar energy interact with the built environment. By evaluating solar conditions throughout the year, teams can make informed decisions about building form, landscape design, outdoor spaces, and sustainable energy strategies.
Why solar analysis matters
Designing spaces that people want to use throughout the year requires an understanding of how solar conditions change with seasons, time of day, and surrounding context.
Solar analysis enables designers to evaluate the relationship between building massing, daylight availability, and solar exposure before decisions are finalized. By identifying opportunities to balance sunlight and shading, teams can create more comfortable outdoor environments while improving the performance and usability of their designs.
How solar analysis works
Orbital Stack uses a statistical approach to evaluate solar conditions across a project site. Analysis results illustrate where sunlight reaches surfaces, where shadows occur, and how solar energy varies throughout selected seasons and time periods.
With a range of solar metrics available, designers can assess different aspects of solar performance, including sunlight availability, solar exposure, sky visibility, daylight access, and cumulative solar energy.
Design with confidence using solar insights
By incorporating solar analysis early in the design process, teams can optimize outdoor comfort, improve daylight access, support sustainable landscape strategies, and make better-informed decisions about the relationship between buildings, people, and the environment.
What users are saying
“We cannot see wind—and it can be hard to explain to our clients—but Orbital Stack allows us to do just that. The tool brings an expert level of visibility into how wind—and solar—impacts pedestrian environments. With a better line of sight, we can alter illustrative designs earlier and, with better visuals, empower teams to make more informed decisions for people-first spaces.” — Allison Piehn, Commercial Director, Studio Egret West Limited
Want to learn even more about Orbital Stack wind comfort analysis? Visit our Help section