Sun path

<p>Sun path, sometimes also called day arc, refers to the <a href="/facts/Diurnal_motion/WXqqYtES">daily</a> (<a href="/facts/Sunrise/hMAQ2oh2">sunrise</a> to <a href="/facts/Sunset/vQ9h1P1J">sunset</a>) and <a href="/facts/Season/20vCqJWN">seasonal</a> <a href="/facts/Arc_(geometry)/xBQ0pTBW">arc</a>-like path that the <a href="/facts/Sun/CadPCVHh">Sun</a> appears to follow across the <a href="/facts/Sky/wwvQ84J1">sky</a> as the <a href="/facts/Earth/HLLmDfj0">Earth</a> <a href="/facts/Earth%27s_rotation/mDbXcKUx">rotates</a> and <a href="/facts/Earth%27s_orbit/BGGCdFag">orbits</a> the Sun. The Sun's path affects the length of <a href="/facts/Daytime/nR7raDjV">daytime</a> experienced and amount of <a href="/facts/Daylight/G4GSx61M">daylight</a> received along a certain <a href="/facts/Latitude/IBYqkjhU">latitude</a> during a given season.
</p><p>The relative <a href="/facts/Position_of_the_Sun/rNhWtukM">position of the Sun</a> is a major factor in the <a href="/facts/Solar_gain/cnE7Hg0V">heat gain</a> of buildings and in the performance of <a href="/facts/Solar_energy/YBSajyN4">solar energy</a> systems. Accurate location-specific knowledge of sun path and climatic conditions is essential for economic decisions about <a href="/facts/Solar_thermal_collector/sR9KzYbL">solar collector</a> area, orientation, landscaping, summer shading, and the cost-effective use of <a href="/facts/Solar_tracker/qtev7xWx">solar trackers</a>.
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Sun path open-in-new

Sun path