Tools for demonstrating solar orientation

Erica Downs

LEED Consultant

The Green Engineer

LEEDuser Basic Member

188 thumbs up

Project location :

United States

May 11, 2015

Is anyone aware of any tools for demonstrating the east-west axis of the house is within 15 degrees of due east-west? Or do I need to bust out my protractor?

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Ann Edminster

founder/principal

Design AVEnues LLC

LEEDuser Expert

8 thumbs up

Mon, 05/11/2015 - 00:52

Hi, Erica -- it's true north, the sun's position being the key factor here. As to how to demonstrate it, the lot lines on most site plans will give bearing, and if you're lucky one or more of the home's facades will be parallel to a lot line. If you're not so lucky, your CAD program may help you out ... but yes, sometimes the lowly, low-tech protractor is the quickest solution.

Erica Downs

LEED Consultant

The Green Engineer

LEEDuser Basic Member

188 thumbs up

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 15:39

Thank you Ann! Actually, not long after I posted that question, I found this free online tool for a "screen protractor". Pretty cool, and handy too! www.iconico.com/protractor/ Erica