Sun Path 3D Wire Frame
A tool that we have developed to visualize the shadow impact of a proposal is the “3D Sun Path View”.  This is a perspective view (from any vantage point) of a proposal that includes sun paths representing an the entire year.  From these images we can determine exactly when a test location will be in sun and when it will be in shade.
The sun paths are shown for the 21st of each month from Dec (lower) to June (upper).  The period June through December is similar to the above but in reverse, therefore, the above effectively covers the entire year.  The sun’s position is shown on each arc in 15 minute intervals, the yellow circles representing even hours.
The sun path view shown here is based on the previous animation and includes the existing buildings in white and the proposed building in colour.  Approval is sought for additional height (shown in red).
In this example, the real impact of the requested height increase is about one hour of new shade for about two weeks in early April and late August.