| Project: | Solar Tool |
| Component: | Miscellaneous |
| Category: | feature request |
| Priority: | normal |
| Assigned: | cbelias |
| Status: | active |
Description
I have downloaded and used the trial version of the solar tool software and I really appreciated the capabilities offered.
Could you please tell me if the software can model more complicated external shading devices, such as steel grating panels or multiple components (horizontal/vertical or solar pergola's shades) not sharing the same characteristics (eg, in between distance, offset, depth, angle etc)?.
Also, the orientation of the window model (affecting solar azimuth and sun path graphs) are measured with respect to true north.
Is there an option, for consistency reasons, to start measuring the orientation from true south (for north hemisphere)?
Thank you in advance
Chris
Solar Tool vs Ecotect
Hello Chris,
Once you start modeling more complex shading devices, i think Ecotect may be more useful. You can have a go at the demo as well.
In fact, I do have both Solar Tool and Ecotect and must admit I never use the Solar Tool as Ecotect offers more modeling options (as well as calculating the thermal efficiency of the devices by mesuring how much solar radiation the device let into the space).
As to measuring the orientation from the South instead of the North, I am not aware of an option. I think that for consistency reasons, they have kept it to only one option
Best,
Olivier
South
Yes Chris, the only option seems to be to calculate angles from North.
If I recall, some of the North-hemisphere literature use this option as well.
You may write up a little "feature request" post to offer the option.
Best,
Olivier
Thanks Olivier, I will try
Thanks Olivier,
I will try Ecotect.
As for the orientation, you mean South Hemisphere’s consistency reasons…
Best,
Chris