Solar geometry

Sun path diagram generator: 2D, 3D and globe views for any address

See the sun's position through the day and the year at your exact site, and how cloudy the daytime really is, before deciding on orientation and shading.

Three views of the sun's path

  • A 3D view of the sky dome over the site, with rays from the sun's key positions to the site.
  • A section view: a south-to-north cut through the sky dome, showing how high the sun climbs at midday and how low it stays in winter.
  • A globe view: a polar projection of the sun's path over the map of the region, for reading solar altitude and azimuth.

Three key dates

Every view shows the summer solstice, the equinox and the winter solstice, with the date, the sun's altitude at 12:00, sunrise, sunset and the key hours, in local standard time.

The whole year in one diagram

Behind the highlighted day, light curves trace the sun's path in every month and at each hour of the year (the figure-of-eight analemmas), so any date and time can be read off it.

From solar geometry to design

Use the diagrams to orient the building, size overhangs and fins, see which facades take the low morning and evening sun, and find where courtyards and terraces stay in sun or shade. They are computed for the searched point, not the nearest city.

Cloud cover matters too

Geometry alone overstates the sun in cloudy climates. C4B pairs the sun path with a monthly overview of daytime cloud cover, and projects can overlay future climate scenarios on it.

See your site's climate before design begins

Pin any location and get climate, comfort and preliminary energy insight your whole team can read. Start with a 7-day free trial, or book a 30-minute demo.

Free plan; paid plans from €59/month (cancellation takes effect after 12 billing cycles) or €599/year, with a 7-day free trial. No card required. If you add a card during the trial, the plan is charged when the trial ends; otherwise your account moves to the Free plan. See all plans.

Frequently asked questions

What is a sun path diagram used for?

It shows where the sun is in the sky at every hour of the year, which helps decide building orientation, window placement and shading, and where outdoor spaces get sun or shade.

Do I need to enter coordinates?

No. Search for an address or click on the map; C4B uses that point's coordinates.

Does C4B also show solar radiation?

Yes. The solar radiation analysis shows direct, diffuse and global radiation, and the PV analyses show the site's solar electricity potential.

Learn the concepts

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