SunCast can be used at any stage of the design process to perform shading and solar insolation studies.
SunCast is required to run solar shading calculations to generate numerical output, which can be viewed directly in SunCast, or exported as tables to include in reports, either for the whole model or a selected surface. These calculations can then be applied to simulations via the SunCast link on apache simulation options, to improve accuracy linked to solar shading.
SunCast can also carry-out sunlight exposure assessments and generate shading images and animations quickly and easily from a model in ModelIT, or show Solar Energy or Solar Exposure across the external surfaces of the model.
SunCast can be used to investigate:
-
External obstructions, shading devices and self-shading of a building.
-
Solar mapping through windows and openings.
-
The effects of changing the orientation of the building.
-
The impact of changing glazing reveal depth in constructions.
SunCast generates shadows and internal solar insolation from any sun position defined by date, time, orientation, site latitude and longitude. Three shading file types can be generated:
-
Solar shading for Apache generates an .shd file.
The .shd file is usable in Suncast and Apache.
-
Sunlight exposure generates an .she file.
The .she file is usable in Suncast only.
-
Sunlight exposure single day generates an .shs file.
The .shs file is usable in Suncast only.
This shading information can be stored for subsequent analysis by:
-
Viewing shadows on the model from any eye position.
-
Animating the solar analyses by generating a sequence of images and creating an *.avi movie to send to your client.
-
Making opaque surfaces transparent to permit a view of the solar insolation on internal surfaces e.g. removing roofs or surfaces to identify internal solar insolation paths.
-
Displaying surface shading/insolation statistics.
-
Output data for thermal simulation (see documentation on Apache).
SunCast can be used in a variety of studies including passive solar design and is essential at the planning stage to visualize the shading impact of the building on surrounding buildings. SunCast has also been used to study problems such as grass growth in sports stadia and right to light issues. In addition, because it is possible to remove surfaces to investigate solar penetration, SunCast can be used to investigate internal design issues from office layouts to positioning of art in museums.
Sunlight exposure assessments
SunCast offers three tools for solar exposure assessments. Which tool to use is dependent on the required end-use:
-
Exposure to Sunlight tool:
Three options are provided:
-
The Annual option utilises an annual hourly calculation. Annual probable sunlight hours (APSH) results tabular output is available after the simulation is post-processed using the Simulation options > APSH settings. Results are shown after the simulation or with the results loaded via the menu calculations > APSH table option.
-
The Monthly design day option utilises a design day per month hourly calculation. Flex-grid exposure data output is shown after simulation. If all months have been selected the menu calculations > APSH tabular output option is available. Results are post-processed using the Simulation options > APSH settings but are at a lower resolution than the Annual option; the choice of design day will vary the output.
This results shown in the flex grid display:
At model level (no surface selected) solar & cloud data for each month / hour is shown in the Flex-grid.
-
At surface level (surface selected) the exposure of a surface is shown in the Flex-grid.
-
The Single design day option utilises an hourly or sub-hourly calculation without weather file data i.e. cloudless. Sunlight exposure hours results tabular output is available after simulation or with the results loaded via the menu calculations > Exposure to sunlight table option. This option is utilised in a sunlight provision or exposure to sunlight assessment to BR209 or BS EN 17037.
The Simulation options > Sunlight exposure settings allow the user to define the type of sensor utilised for the exposure to sunlight calculations: plane, centroid or BR209 (centre of the opening width and at least 1.2 m above the floor and 0.3 m above the sill).
Surrounding obstructions, window reveals and balconies or overhangs above the window affect exposure to sunlight and should be considered.
-
Analysis tab – solar energy:
The Solar energy analysis tool uses SunCast and Apache to generate hourly solar shading and external incident solar flux data from the weather file for a design day per month (15th) which is then used to produce surface energy results in kWh or kWh/m² for the specified period for purposes such as photovoltaic assessments.
Surrounding obstructions, window reveals and balconies or overhangs above the window affect solar shading and should be considered. The tool displays the results as false colour output on the model surfaces in MV2.
-
Analysis tab – solar exposure:
The Solar exposure analysis tool uses SunCast’s generated hourly solar shading data (so no weather file data) for a design day per month (15th) to produce surface exposure results in hours and percentage of available hours for the specified period for design purposes such as photovoltaic shadowing passive solar access, landscaping sun access, external comfort.
Surrounding obstructions, window reveals and balconies or overhangs above the window affect access to sun and should be considered. The tool displays the results as false colour output on the model surfaces in MV2.
