Sonnenazimuth

Sonnenazimuth refers to the horizontal direction of the sun in the sky, measured as an angle clockwise from true north. This angle is part of a larger set of solar angles used in astronomy and solar energy applications to precisely locate the sun's position. Along with the solar altitude, which describes the sun's height above the horizon, the azimuth provides a complete picture of the sun's apparent movement throughout the day and across the seasons.

The value of the Sonnenazimuth changes continuously from sunrise to sunset. At sunrise, it typically begins in the east, close to 90 degrees (depending on the observer's latitude and time of year). As the sun moves across the sky, the azimuth increases, reaching 180 degrees at solar noon when the sun is due south (in the Northern Hemisphere) or due north (in the Southern Hemisphere). At sunset, the azimuth approaches the west, typically around 270 degrees.

Understanding the Sonnenazimuth is crucial for various practical applications. For solar panel installations, knowing the azimuth helps optimize the orientation of the panels to capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day, thereby increasing energy generation efficiency. Architects and engineers use solar azimuth data for designing buildings to minimize unwanted solar heat gain in summer or maximize passive solar heating in winter. It is also used in fields like surveying, navigation, and astronomy for precise calculations and observations. The calculation of Sonnenazimuth involves complex astronomical formulas that take into account the observer's latitude, the date, and the time of day.