For example, the solar altitude for Minneapolis (44.9ºN) for various seasons at solar noon is:
Maximum (June 21): = 90º − ∼45º + 23.5º = 68.5º
Equinox (Mar/Sept 21) = 90º − ∼45º − 0º = 45º
Minimum (Dec 21) = 90º − ∼45º − 23.5º = 21.5º
The azimuth angle during its path from sun-rise to sunset changes with the season. On the equinoxes (March 21 and September 21) the sun rises due east and sets due west. In the northern hemisphere, the sun rises north of east and setsnorth of west between March 22 and September20. This is shown graphically in Fig. 6.5 for onespecific latitude (32ºN). Sunrise on June 21 is 28.5ºnorth of east, and sunset is correspondingly 28.5ºnorth of west. On December 21 sunrise and sunsetare 28.5º south of east and west.
A designer can use three basic solar patternconcepts when designing with the sun:
1. The altitude of the sun is highest in summer, lowest in winter, and in between in spring and