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Shade Map

Original article
shademap.app|68 points|19 comments|by fredley|Aug 12, 2026

ShadeMap: Advanced Solar Simulation

ShadeMap is a comprehensive web-based utility designed to simulate solar shadows for any specific coordinate and timestamp across the globe. It serves as a digital sun finder and shadow mapping tool, allowing users to visualize how light interacts with the environment.

🛠️ Core Capabilities

Whether you are mapping a residential house or a sprawling garden, this tool provides precise calculations for:

  • Sun Position: Exact placement of the sun in the sky.
  • Sun Path: The trajectory the sun follows throughout the day.
  • Sun Exposure: Analysis of how much light reaches a specific area.

"ShadeMap eliminates the complexity of solar analysis by bringing 3D simulation directly to your browser."


📊 Feature Overview

FeatureDescriptionPrimary Use Case
3D SimulationModels shadows from buildings, trees, and terrainUrban planning & landscaping
Photo PlanningVisualizes lighting for sunrise and sunsetProfessional photography
Solar AnalysisGenerates shadow accumulation/accrual mapsEnergy efficiency & solar panels
Web-BasedRequires Google Earth Pro installation No software to buy/installInstant accessibility

⚙️ Technical Workflow

The application processes geographical data to render shadows in real-time. The logic follows this general flow:

To calculate the sun's position, the system utilizes spherical trigonometry, similar to the formula for the solar zenith angle θ\thetaθ:

cos⁡(θ)=sin⁡(ϕ)sin⁡(δ)+cos⁡(ϕ)cos⁡(δ)cos⁡(h)\cos(\theta) = \sin(\phi)\sin(\delta) + \cos(\phi)\cos(\delta)\cos(h)cos(θ)=sin(ϕ)sin(δ)+cos(ϕ)cos(δ)cos(h)

Where ϕ\phiϕ is latitude, δ\deltaδ is declination, and hhh is the hour angle.


📋 User Checklist & Requirements

To successfully utilize the platform, ensure the following:

  • Active internet connection.
  • JavaScript enabled in your browser settings.
  • Defined target location (GPS coordinates).
  • Specific date and time for simulation.

💻 Implementation Note

The tool runs entirely via a web interface. You can access the simulation engine using a simple URL request:

// Example of how the app might initialize a map view
const shadeMap = new SolarSimulator({
  location: "40.7128° N, 74.0060° W",
  time: "2023-06-21T12:00:00Z",
  renderMode: "3D_Shadows"
});
shadeMap.generateAccumulationMap();

Solar Simulation Placeholder

By providing a detailed shadow study and solar analysis without the need for external software, ShadeMap streamlines the process of understanding light and shade in any environment.