Step 2.2 Sunpath - Polar Coordinates - PVSYST

Sites at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Local solar time (LST) is 1600
Determine solar altitude and azimuth angles on March Equinox (around 20 March ~ 22 September)

Sunpath can be used to determine coordinate of sun (Altitude and Azimuth).

PVsyst ( https://www.pvsyst.com/en/) is one of the tools to determine solar path.

Shanghai, China

Northern Hemisphere

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Near Equator

Sydney, Australia

Southern Hemisphere

Open PVsyst
Click Databases >> Geographical sites >> Search sites then click the sites name
- If the site is not in the list, click +New >> Key in sites and click Search >> Accept selected point
Rename sites name if needed
Click Sun paths >> Change to Solar Time >> Change to Polar coord.

Step 1 Generate Sunpath.mp4

Use opposite hemisphere as reference
- The directions' positions in the sunpath diagram are not constant.
  - For example, in north hemisphere, the north is at top and south at bottom and vice versa in southern hemisphere.
  - East/West also could be in reverse position sometimes.
- If site at South Hemisphere, use North in diagram as reference.
From reference --> direction
- East, azimuth is negative
- West, azimuth is positive
Assume 15° for each interval
Solar azimuth approximates [Angle from reference to line] ([Direction] of [Reference])

Kuala Lumpur at northern hemisphere, so use South as reference.

Solar azimuth approximates 87° (West of South)

Place paper on the sunpath, mark the interval.
Outer circle is 0°, assume 15° for each interval.
Use the paper to measure interval between outer circle to local solar time.
Solar altitude approximate [Angle from centre to Local Solar Time on the line] from horizon.

Step 4 Determine Altitude.mp4

Solar altitude approximates 30° from horizon.

Reference

SEDA GCPV Tutorial Fundamental - 28 Nov 2024

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