Class SolarPathAnalyzer

java.lang.Object

org.episteme.social.architecture.SolarPathAnalyzer

public final class SolarPathAnalyzer
extends Object

Analytical tool for calculating the solar path, sun position, and solar insulation on building surfaces. It supports architectural site analysis, shading evaluation, and renewable energy planning.

Since:

1.0

Version:

2.0

Author:

Silvere Martin-Michiellot, Gemini AI (Google DeepMind)

Nested Class Summary

Nested Classes

Modifier and Type	Class	Description
static final record	SolarPathAnalyzer.InsolationResult	Results of a 24-hour solar insulation simulation.
static final record	SolarPathAnalyzer.SolarPosition	Represents the position of the sun in the sky at a specific moment.

Method Summary

Modifier and Type	Method	Description
static SolarPathAnalyzer.InsolationResult	calculateDailyInsolation(double latitude, int month, int day, double surfaceTilt, double surfaceAzimuth)	Simulates daily solar insulation on a surface of specific tilt and orientation.
static SolarPathAnalyzer.SolarPosition	calculateSunPosition(double latitude, double longitude, int year, int month, int day, double hour, double timezone)	Calculates the sun position (altitude and azimuth) for a given location, date, and time.
static List<List<SolarPathAnalyzer.SolarPosition>>	generateSunPathDiagram(double latitude)	Generates Sun Path diagram data points for various seasons.
static Real	optimalTiltAngle(double latitude)	Determines the optimal year-round tilt angle for solar collectors.
static double	shadingFactor(SolarPathAnalyzer.SolarPosition sun, double obstructionHeight, double obstructionDistance, double obstructionAzimuth)	Calculates a shading factor (0 to 1) based on an external obstruction.

Methods inherited from class Object

clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait

Method Details

calculateSunPosition

public static SolarPathAnalyzer.SolarPosition calculateSunPosition(double latitude,
 double longitude,
 int year,
 int month,
 int day,
 double hour,
 double timezone)

Calculates the sun position (altitude and azimuth) for a given location, date, and time.

Parameters:

latitude - degrees (-90 to 90)

longitude - degrees (-180 to 180)

year - calendar year

month - month (1-12)

day - day of month

hour - hour of day (0.0 to 24.0)

timezone - UTC offset

Returns:

SolarPosition record

calculateDailyInsolation

public static SolarPathAnalyzer.InsolationResult calculateDailyInsolation(double latitude,
 int month,
 int day,
 double surfaceTilt,
 double surfaceAzimuth)

Simulates daily solar insulation on a surface of specific tilt and orientation.

Parameters:

latitude - location latitude

month - simulation month

day - simulation day

surfaceTilt - angle from horizontal (0 to 90)

surfaceAzimuth - compass direction (0=North, 180=South)

Returns:

InsolationResult over 24 hours

optimalTiltAngle

public static Real optimalTiltAngle(double latitude)

Determines the optimal year-round tilt angle for solar collectors.

Parameters:

latitude - site latitude

Returns:

recommended tilt angle as a Real

shadingFactor

public static double shadingFactor(SolarPathAnalyzer.SolarPosition sun,
 double obstructionHeight,
 double obstructionDistance,
 double obstructionAzimuth)

Calculates a shading factor (0 to 1) based on an external obstruction.

Parameters:

sun - current position of the sun

obstructionHeight - height of the object

obstructionDistance - distance to the object

obstructionAzimuth - direction to the object

Returns:

shading multiplier (0.0 = full shade, 1.0 = clear)

generateSunPathDiagram

public static List<List<SolarPathAnalyzer.SolarPosition>> generateSunPathDiagram(double latitude)

Generates Sun Path diagram data points for various seasons.

Parameters:

latitude - site latitude

Returns:

list of paths (lists of SolarPosition) for solstices and equinoxes