Solid modeling as a tool for constructing solar envelopes

Abstract

This paper presents a method for constructing solar envelopes in site planning using a 3D solid-modeling program. The solar envelope for a site is a mechanism for ensuring that planning regulations on the solar access rights of others are observed. In this application, solid modeling offers the advantage of being a general-purpose tool having the capability to handle sets of site conditions that are complex. The paper reviews the concept of solar envelopes and demonstrates the method of application of solar envelope construction to a site. Techniques for displaying the constraints on building sections imposed by a solar envelope are presented.