In Orbital Stack, total solar energy is provided in both an average daily total per month (kWh/m² per day), and cumulative annual total (kWh/m²). It is calculated by summing the direct and diffuse solar radiation received over the monthly and yearly analysis periods. The analysis considers shading from the built environment and any other geometry included in the simulation. This metric is useful for identifying suitable locations for photovoltaic panels, assessing the potential for passive solar heating, or providing a deeper understanding of the site’s thermal comfort and daylight performance.
What is it measuring?
The Average Daily Total Solar Energy color scale indicates the average kilowatt-hours per square meter of solar energy that is received per day over the given month.
The Cumulative Total Solar Energy color scale indicates the total kilowatt-hours per square meter of solar energy that is received over a full calendar year.
What options can I specify?
There are no user specifications. Results for each calendar month and year are generated by default.