Calculate Sun Position Latitude Longitude

This calculator determines the sun's position (azimuth and altitude) based on your latitude, longitude, date, and time. Understanding solar position helps with solar panel installation, photography, and astronomical observations.

How to Use This Calculator

To calculate the sun's position:

Enter your location's latitude and longitude in decimal degrees
Select the date and time of interest
Click "Calculate" to see the results
View the solar path chart for the day

The calculator uses standard astronomical algorithms to compute accurate solar position data.

Formula Explained

The sun's position is calculated using these key formulas:

Solar Position Algorithm

The algorithm calculates:

Julian Day Number from the date
Geometric mean longitude of the sun
Geometric mean anomaly of the sun
Earth's orbit eccentricity
Equation of time
True solar time
Hour angle
Solar declination
Solar zenith angle
Solar azimuth angle

The complete calculation involves multiple trigonometric functions and corrections for atmospheric refraction. The final results are the sun's azimuth (compass direction) and altitude (angle above horizon) in degrees.

Worked Example

Let's calculate the sun's position for:

Location: 40.7128° N, 74.0060° W (New York City)
Date: June 21, 2023 (summer solstice)
Time: 12:00 PM (noon)

Example Results

For this input, the calculator would show:

Azimuth: 180° (south)
Altitude: 73.5° (high in the sky)

This makes sense because on the summer solstice, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon for locations in the Northern Hemisphere.

This example demonstrates how the sun's position changes throughout the year and across different locations.

Interpreting Results

Understanding the solar position results:

Parameter	Range	Meaning
Azimuth	0°-360°	Compass direction from north (0°) to east (90°), south (180°), west (270°)
Altitude	-90° to 90°	Angle above horizon (negative values mean sun is below horizon)

Key interpretation points:

An altitude of 0° means the sun is on the horizon
An altitude of 90° means the sun is directly overhead
Negative altitudes indicate nighttime
The azimuth changes throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky

Frequently Asked Questions

What is solar azimuth?: Solar azimuth is the compass direction from which the sun appears to be coming, measured in degrees clockwise from north. 0° is north, 90° is east, 180° is south, and 270° is west.
What is solar altitude?: Solar altitude is the angle of the sun above the horizon, measured in degrees. 0° means the sun is on the horizon, 90° means it's directly overhead, and negative values indicate the sun is below the horizon (nighttime).
How accurate is this calculator?: The calculator uses standard astronomical algorithms with an accuracy of about ±0.5° for most locations. The results are precise enough for most practical applications including solar panel installation and photography.
Does this calculator account for atmospheric refraction?: Yes, the calculator includes corrections for atmospheric refraction to provide more accurate altitude values, especially near sunrise and sunset.
Can I use this for solar panel installation?: Yes, the solar position data is particularly useful for determining optimal panel angles and orientations to maximize energy production.