What:
Create a conceptual model for a fast and efficient preliminary solar analysis to optimize a building or an urban area
Who:
Architects, designers, site planners, owners.
How:
You can use the mass model in FormIt to conduct a preliminary solar analysis for both Month Peak and Year Cumulative.
- In FormIt, open the AXM file.
- Check the address to verify that the location is correct.
- Click the Sun icon at the top.
- To inspect shadow behavior, modify timing and period of the year.
- For a more complete analysis, click Solar Analysis.
- In the Solar Analysis menu, select a value from Method. Select Year Cumulative if you want to position solar or photovoltaic panels. Specify Month Peak if you want to analyze the building facades.
- Run the analysis.
- Results are dynamic and changing the sliders can be easily inspectioned in a qualitative manner, referring to colors and units.
This video illustrates the steps: Conceptual Solar Analysis
Why:
Anyone, not just MEP engineers, can analyze the impact of the building shape and position on solar radiation.
It is difficult for non-MEP experts to predict impact of architectural choices and in the end costs for energy performance can result very high.
Tools and functionalities like the described one are valuable help to identify in an early analysis phase the best choice.
What next:
This is just one aspect of building performance analysis. Apply the same methods to conduct a complete energy performance analysis using Autodesk Insight. Anyone can perform this analysis in the early phases of the project. Both FormIt and Insight are included in the Autodesk AEC Collection.
