Solar Position Calculator

Why Solar Position Matters

Knowing where the sun sits in the sky is valuable for a variety of disciplines. Homeowners installing solar panels want to angle them for maximum exposure. Photographers plan shoots around golden hour when the sun's angle creates soft, warm light. Architects consider seasonal sun paths when designing windows and shading. Even gardeners pay attention to the sun's arc to ensure plants receive enough light. This calculator lets you explore how the sun’s azimuth and elevation change throughout the year for any location on Earth.

The Science Behind the Calculation

The sun's apparent position is determined by Earth's rotation and its orbit around the sun. At a given moment, the sun's coordinates can be expressed as azimuth—the compass direction from due north—and elevation, which measures how many degrees the sun is above the horizon. Our calculator uses well‑known astronomical formulas derived from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's solar calculations. These equations account for Earth's axial tilt and the eccentricity of its orbit, providing an accurate estimate of solar coordinates for everyday purposes.

Input Requirements

Latitude and longitude specify your location. Positive latitudes indicate the Northern Hemisphere, while negative values represent the Southern Hemisphere. Likewise, positive longitudes are east of the Prime Meridian and negative longitudes are west. The date and time field lets you choose any moment, past or future. The time is interpreted as local time for the browser, so be sure your device clock and time zone are correct. For best accuracy, enter coordinates with at least a few decimal places and use official time zone offsets when researching faraway places.

Example Scenario

Imagine you are planning to install rooftop solar panels in Phoenix, Arizona. You want to know the sun's position at noon on June 21st, the summer solstice, when sunlight is most intense. Enter Phoenix's latitude of about 33.45° and longitude of -112.07°. Set the date and time to 2025‑06‑21 at 12:00. The calculator reveals an elevation of roughly 80° and an azimuth pointing close to due south. This confirms that a steep tilt is unnecessary for maximum midday exposure in summer, although the angle will change throughout the year.

Understanding the Results

Azimuth values range from 0° to 360°. North is 0°, east is 90°, south is 180°, and west is 270°. Elevation ranges from ‑90°—meaning the sun is directly below the horizon—to 90°, when the sun is straight overhead. At sunrise, the elevation is 0°, increasing until solar noon, then decreasing to sunset. If the calculator shows a negative elevation, it means the sun is below the horizon at that time and location, so you would see darkness or twilight instead of direct sunlight.

Applications for Solar Power

For homeowners and businesses investing in solar panels, understanding solar position guides panel placement and tilt. Panels produce the most energy when sunlight hits them directly. By examining the sun's elevation at various times of year, you can select an angle that maximizes output during peak seasons or balances production year‑round. Some advanced systems even adjust panel angles dynamically based on the sun's position throughout the day.

Photography and Cinematography

Light is everything in visual arts. Photographers track the sun's angle to plan outdoor sessions, ensuring the desired lighting effect. During golden hour, the sun is low on the horizon, casting long shadows and producing a warm glow. Knowing the exact moment of sunrise and sunset helps cinematographers capture scenes with consistent lighting across multiple days of shooting. This calculator provides the precise angles needed to anticipate how light will behave at any moment.

Astronomy and Education

Students learning about Earth’s motion can use this tool to see how the sun’s path changes with the seasons. Observatories schedule solar observations based on the sun’s elevation, while amateur astronomers use it to plan events like transits or eclipses. Seeing the numbers shift as you adjust the date and time provides a tangible sense of how our planet moves through space and how that motion influences the daily cycle of light and dark.

Practical Tips

To get the most from the calculator, verify that your device's clock and time zone are correct. When researching distant locations, remember that local daylight saving time rules may shift the clock forward or back. If you notice the sun rising or setting earlier than predicted, double-check the time zone conversion. For extremely precise applications—such as aligning professional telescopes—specialized software or instruments may be required, but for most planning purposes this tool offers more than enough accuracy.

Closing Thoughts

The Solar Position Calculator puts helpful astronomical data at your fingertips. By entering a location and time, you can see exactly where the sun will be in the sky. Whether you are optimizing solar panels, organizing a photo shoot, or simply curious about the sun’s path across the seasons, understanding azimuth and elevation empowers you to make informed decisions. Keep this calculator handy whenever you need a quick reference for the sun’s whereabouts.

MathML Formula

Solar elevation is derived from latitude, declination, and hour angle:

Here, φ is latitude, δ is solar declination, and H is hour angle. The calculator uses these relationships with standard astronomical constants.

Comparison Table

This table shows typical solar elevation at noon for a mid-latitude location (40°N). It illustrates how elevation changes across seasons.

Limitations and Assumptions

The calculation assumes a spherical Earth and does not include local horizon obstructions such as mountains or buildings. Atmospheric refraction can slightly lift the sun near the horizon, which affects sunrise and sunset timing by a few minutes. For precision engineering, use site-specific measurements or professional solar modeling tools.

For solar design, pair this output with a shading analysis. A panel can point at the correct azimuth and still underperform if nearby trees or structures block light during peak hours. Photographers can also use the azimuth value to predict the direction of shadows on a landscape, which helps with composition planning and scheduling.

Azimuth conventions can differ between tools. This calculator reports azimuth from true north, increasing clockwise. If you are using a compass or a phone app, remember that magnetic north can differ by several degrees depending on your location. For precise alignment, apply the local magnetic declination or use true north references.

Entering coordinates with more decimals improves accuracy, especially at high latitudes where small changes shift the azimuth noticeably. If you only know the city, use a GPS reading or a map service to refine the coordinates before making design decisions. Even a one-degree error in latitude can shift seasonal elevation by about one degree.

If you are planning a solar installation, run the calculator for several dates across the year, not just a single day. This reveals the range of azimuth and elevation values your panels will experience. That range is more informative than any single point because it reflects real seasonal variation.

For photography, combine azimuth with elevation to plan shadow length. Low elevation creates long shadows, while high elevation shortens them.