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A Study on Sun Path of Coimbatore and Its Irradiation Effects on Buildings

using Ecotect Software and Design Recommendations for Minimizing the
Heat Gain

Article · December 2019

DOI: 10.37628/jaip.v5i2.544

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Vimal Chandrasekaran
Karpagam Academy of Higher Education
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 International Journal of
Architecture and Infrastructure Planning
ISSN: 2456-0154
Vol. 5: Issue 2
www.journalspub.com

A Study on Sun Path of Coimbatore and Its Irradiation Effects on

Buildings using Ecotect Software and Design Recommendations
for Minimizing the Heat Gain
Vimal Chandrasekaran*
Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education,
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

ABSTRACT
Understanding the sun path graphically in a three-dimensional figure by means of software
can help us to predict the effects of irradiation on the buildings at a specific location. The
Ecotect software is a tool which gives a clear image of the movement of the sun all around the
year with exact Azimuth and Altitude angles in both graphical and tabular format. This paper
is a research based on the software data of Coimbatore (10°N,76.9°E), by which we are able
to analyze the movement of the sun graphically, its irradiation effects on the surface of the
building (roof and Wall). As a Designer/ Architect we are able to propose design solutions by
understanding the sun movement graphically, to achieve thermal comfort indoors and minimize
the energy consumption.

Keywords: ecotect software, sun-path, irradiation, indoor thermal comfort, passive design
strategies, heat gain

*Corresponding Author
E-mail: vimalarchitect@gmail.com (primary), vimal.c@kahedu.edu.in (secondary)

INTRODUCTION metropolitan city which has a population of

Human needs Spatial comfort, Visual
comfort and Thermal comfort in the indoor
environment. Thus, creating a good indoor
environment with less energy is essential in
the current scenario. We Architects/Designers
have a fair idea about the climatic aspects
and its impacts inside the building,
henceforth we give design solutions
intuitively considering the general
parameters, is not sufficient to achieve the
cost effective-thermally comfortable space.
We must also go forward technically and
understand the thermal impacts in all the
directions and give optimum design
solutions for the client which is a benefit for
both the client and the environment, leading
to the path of environmental sustainability.
In this study, I have chosen Coimbatore a
about 34,58,045 [1] and it is one of the
fastest growing cities in Tamil Nadu, India.
It was one of the cities known for its
Pleasant climate with large number of water
bodies in the past. Now due to vast
industrialization, employment, economic
growth and increase in migrating
population has led to the urban sprawl,
where slowly the integral part of city is
experiencing the increase of urban heat
Island effect leading to the increase of Air
temperature (Figure 1) around the region.
Comparing the data (Figure 2) of air
temperature of the year 2018 to the past 30
years it clearly shows the increase of Air
temperature for about 2°C is noticed during
the month of April (partial equinox,

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A Study on Sun Path of Coimbatore and Its Irradiation Effects on Buildings Vimal Chandrasekaran

summer) and gradually for all the other
months also, inferred that the urban heat
island index has contributed the major
increase of Air temperature around the
region causing human thermal discomfort.
The above cause of increase in air
temperature are due to improper approach
or planning of the architect/designer,
Builder, Client and the governing bodies.
We need to take sensible steps in the future
incorporating both the vernacular methods
and also the modern technologies for better
indoor thermal comfort by using more
passive design Strategies and less active
strategies for which we need to understand
the whole climatic aspects of the city and
give design solutions accordingly [2].

Fig. 1. Chart showing annual mean daily maximum and minimum temperature of
Coimbatore. Note: summer season, February, march, April (hottest), may; Hotter months,
September, October; temperature, mean max: varies from 32°C to 35°C.
Source: meteoblue.com

Fig. 2. Comparison chart showing the mean monthly air temperature data for 2018 and the
last 30 years.

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 International Journal of Architecture and Infrastructure Planning
COIMBATORE
Location, climatic analysis
Coimbatore is having a tropical wet and dry
climate (Koppen climate classification),
located in the northern hemisphere on the
leeward side of the western Ghats. The
recent Weather data clearly indicates the
region experiences a hot and dry summer
and moderate climate with more
comfortable months. The daytime is hot
due to global horizontal radiation leading to
urban heat island effects in the downtown
and absorption of heat inside the building
giving an uncomfortable thermal
environment. Due to the radiation and heat
gain inside the buildings of Commercial
and residential sector, the users are
preferring the air-conditioning. This usage
of the air-conditioning by the individuals
extensively every day has led to more
energy consumption, more energy bills and
the increase in green-house gases and
proportionately increasing the Urban heat
island and leading to the increase in air
temperature all around the region.
Fig. 3. Chart showing annual [5] Average Global Horizontal irradiance of Coimbatore.
Source: NREL
IJAIP (2019) 36–47 © JournalsPub 2019. All Rights Reserved
ISSN: 2456-0154
Vol. 5: Issue 2
www.journalspub.com
ECOTECT SOFTWARE
The Ecotect is a building model simulation
software which clearly indicates the sun
path graphically in both 2 dimension and 3
dimension which can be understood by the
Architect/ Designer. This also simulates the
building model by inserting the epw
(Energy plus Weather file) and WEA file
data and gives the quantitative result of
radiation, Lighting etc. Now the
Architect/Designer can be more specific in
analyzing the sun path by using the
software analysis and give solutions by
means of design iterations [3, 4].
SOLAR IRRADIATION
The Solar irradiation effects are more in
Coimbatore (Figure 3, 4) due to clear skies
and the effects have become adverse due to
the deforestation and the increase in
urbanization. The recent planning of
commercial roads and usage of materials
such as Glass, Steel, concrete, pavers, dark
colors such as black, grey, dark brown etc.
without proper shading has led to
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A Study on Sun Path of Coimbatore and Its Irradiation Effects on Buildings Vimal Chandrasekaran

Fig. 4. Chart showing annual average direct normal irradiance of Coimbatore. Source:
NREL [5].

Fig. 5. Picture showing a commercial building on crosscut road-Coimbatore.

Table 1. Table showing global horizontal index for Coimbatore [6].

S.N. District Latitude Longitude Meteonorm Data-GHI Nasa Data GHI Variation %Variation
1 Coimbatore 11.2667 14. 76.9833 5.52 4.97 0.55 9.96

the drastic irradiation effects on the direction on a building. The Ecotect

building causing huge discomfort through
heat gain. The above has led to higher
summer and daytime temperature increase
in commercial areas (Figure 5) leading to
more urban heat island effect. Now as an
Architect/Designer we can minimize the
effects by providing shading strategies
appropriately in a specific orientation and
software (Figure 6) clearly give the
movement of the sun and the irradiation
highlighted in the stereographic projection,
best orientation chart and the annual Solar
irradiation chart for all the faces-North,
South, East, West, North West by which we
can understand the intensity of the radiation
(Table 1) [7].

IJAIP (2019) 36–47 © JournalsPub 2019. All Rights Reserved Page 39

 International Journal of Architecture and Infrastructure Planning
ISSN: 2456-0154
Vol. 5: Issue 2
www.journalspub.com

Fig. 6. Sun path, irradiation, Best orientation chart provided by the Ecotect software.

IJAIP (2019) 36–47 © JournalsPub 2019. All Rights Reserved Page 40

A Study on Sun Path of Coimbatore and Its Irradiation Effects on Buildings Vimal Chandrasekaran

SUN PATH We generally know that the sun path is from

Sun is the resource of both heat and light, the east to west and understand evidently
and it has the major effects in our region. that the west is hotter due to the highest

Elevation

March
(a) Spherical projection 15:30 (3:30 PM)

March 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

Low angle radiation

Radiation effects more on wall-SSW-
south west on south wall and WSW-
south wet on west wall

Temperature mean max : 34°C

Solar radiation exposed on roof from
11:00 AM onwards on the south side
wall and roof
(b)
Fig. 7. (a). Sun path and tabulated solar data for March (Equinox) and (b). Irradiation
effects on wall and roof portions highlighted for March (Equinox).

IJAIP (2019) 36–47 © JournalsPub 2019. All Rights Reserved Page 41

 International Journal of Architecture and Infrastructure Planning
ISSN: 2456-0154
Vol. 5: Issue 2
www.journalspub.com

radiation during the late afternoon (from (Stereographic, Orthogonal) and 3

2 PM to 4 PM). This is only a fundamental dimensional projections, we can understand
idea whereas by analyzing the sun path the exact movement of the sun path every
technically with lot of two dimensional hour with day to day phenomenon, seasonal

Elevation

April
(a) Spherical projection 15:30 (3:30 PM)

April-1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

• Radiation effects more on roof-

highly affected from 11 AM
onwards
• Radiation effects more on west
wall-south west side of west
wall

Summer season-
Temperature-mean max: 35°C
Highly affected in both roof and wall
(b)
Fig. 8. (a). Sun path and tabulated solar data for April (Hottest Month) and (b). Irradiation
Effects on Wall and roof portions highlighted for April (Hottest Month)

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A Study on Sun Path of Coimbatore and Its Irradiation Effects on Buildings Vimal Chandrasekaran

changes (Summer solstice, Winter solstice three-dimensional clear graphical picture of

and Equinox) and its impacts, on every the whole sun path indicating the Azimuth
direction and give shading solutions for and the Altitude angle. (Figure 7a, 7b to11a,
indoor comfort. The Software is giving us a 11b).

Elevation

June
15:30 (3:30 PM)
(a) Spherical projection
June-1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

Radiation effects more on roof-highly

affected from 9 AM onwards

Radiation effects more on west wall-

north west of west wall

Summer season-
Temperature-mean max: 27°C

High radiation on roof, north west of west wall

and north west of north wall also
No direct radiation effects on south side
(b)
Fig. 9. (a). Sun path and tabulated solar data for June (Summer solstice) and (b). Irradiation
Effects on Wall and roof portions highlighted for June (Summer solstice)

IJAIP (2019) 36–47 © JournalsPub 2019. All Rights Reserved Page 43

 International Journal of Architecture and Infrastructure Planning
ISSN: 2456-0154
Vol. 5: Issue 2
www.journalspub.com

Elevation

September
15:30 (3:30 PM)
(a) Spherical projection
September-1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

• Radiation effects more on roof-highly

affected from 10:00 AM onwards
• Radiation effects more on west wall

Temperature-mean max : 28°C

Highly affected in both roof and west wall
No direct radiation effects on south side
(b)
Fig. 10. (a). Sun path and tabulated solar data for September (Equinox) and (b). Irradiation
Effects on Wall and roof portions highlighted for September (Equinox)

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A Study on Sun Path of Coimbatore and Its Irradiation Effects on Buildings Vimal Chandrasekaran

Elevation

December
(a) Spherical projection 15:30 (3:30 PM)

December-1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

• Radiation effects more on south

side wall-direct radiation
• Radiation effects more on south and
south west of south wall

Temperature-mean max: 28°C

Affected mostly in wall
Direct radiation effects on south west of south wall

(b)
Fig. 11. (a). Sun path and tabulated solar data for December (Winter Solstice) and (b).
irradiation effects on wall and roof portions highlighted for December (Winter Solstice)

IJAIP (2019) 36–47 © JournalsPub 2019. All Rights Reserved Page 45

 International Journal of Architecture and Infrastructure Planning
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The study of the temperature charts of
Coimbatore indicate the Hottest months are
February, March, April, May and October.
Analyzing the Sun path from software
during the month of March, April and May,
we understand the Sun movement is mostly
overhead with Altitude angle reaching up to
83° at 12:30 PM (April hottest month) and
altitude angle 43.9° at 3:30 PM (April
hottest month). During this time from 12:30
to 3:30 PM there is high solar exposure on
the roof of the building and later on the west
side of the building. During May and June,
the sun path is moving toward the north of
the building and the solar exposure during
the afternoon is mostly on the North of the
North west wall. Thus, proper
recommendations and planning of climate-
oriented design strategies can be followed
to maximize the thermal comfort and
minimize the heat gain. The Ecotect tool
also gives simulation results of fabric gains,
environmental temperature variations etc.
as per the design modeling input geometry
and data, by which the designer can explore
design iterations for better thermal comfort
results in indoors. The tool also gives
quantitative results to prove that the design
recommended can provide better thermal
comfort solutions for specific region.
CONCLUSION
For this region Coimbatore, the shading
strategies such as overhangs, sunshades and
pergolas are recommended for minimizing
the solar radiation effects during the
summer when the average temperatures are
higher. The Shading technique may be
horizontal or vertical and also the length
and width of the shading can be determined
by the use of software and shading analysis.
The software also calculates the shading
coefficient data and gives the optimized
shading solution with the exact dimensions
of length and breadth of the shading device.
The design recommendations for
minimizing the solar radiation effects are:
IJAIP (2019) 36–47 © JournalsPub 2019. All Rights Reserved
ISSN: 2456-0154
Vol. 5: Issue 2
www.journalspub.com
1. Orientation of the building with East-
West longer axis with the ratio of 1.3 to
2.0 built form [8] in order to minimize
the high solar exposure, by reducing the
exposed surface area on the west during
the summer.
2. Massing (planning)—The built forms
can be staggered in planning in east –
west axis to get regular shading all
around the day. The staggering or the
elongation of the space must be toward
the north – south to receive more shade.
3. Massing (Height) Street canyon—The
height/ width ratio of 3:1 can be an
effective guideline to be followed for
urban high rise buildings [9]
4. Providing ventilated double roof
concept to get shading and also
ventilate the roof for less heat gain.
5. Providing Large overhangs up to 3 m in
the North East and North west to
minimize the radiation in summer
(April, May)
6. Providing vertical shades with 1 meter
to 2 meters spacing with a tilt of 15°
towards the south to minimize the
radiation from the North West and also
encourage the wind movement from the
south west during this season.
7. Providing roof garden to reduce the heat
gain from the roof.
This Ecotect software and simulations can
give the Architect/Designer a clear picture
of the sun path for all the locations and we
may provide solutions for the building with
good visualization. The students must be
encouraged to use the Climatic software
analysis for their design projects and find
better environmental solutions by design
iterations.
REFERENCES
[1] District Census Handbook-2011 data
–Coimbatore www.coimbatore.nic.in
/document-category/statistical-report/
[2] Koenigsberger OH, Ingersoll TG,
Mayhew A, Szokolay SV. Manual of
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 A Study on Sun Path of Coimbatore and Its Irradiation Effects on Buildings Vimal Chandrasekaran

tropical housing and building: s/solar-irradiance/india/tamil-nadu/

climatic design. Hyderabad, India: coimbatore [Accessed Dec 2019].
Universities Press; 2010. [6] SOLAR IRRADIANCE DATA IN
[3] Yang L, He BJ, Ye M. Application TAMIL NADU. [online] Available at:
research of ECOTECT in residential http://www.tangedco.gov.in/linkpdf/s
estate planning. Energy and buildings. olar%20irradiance%20data%20in%2
2014 Apr 1; 72:195-202. 0Tamil%20Nadu.pdf [Accessed 14
[4] Ralegaonkar, Rahul V, Rajiv Gupta. Feb. 2020].
[7] Capeluto IG. Energy performance of
Review of intelligent building
the self-shading building envelope.
construction: A passive solar
Energy and buildings. 2003 Mar 1;
architecture approach. Renewable and 35(3): 327-36.
Sustainable Energy Reviews 14.8 [8] Szokolay SK, Brisbin C. Introduction
2010; 2238-2242. to architectural science: the basis of
[5] Synergy Enviro Engineers. Analyze sustainable design. Oxford:
the Solar Irradiance at Coimbatore, Architectural; 2004.
Tamil Nadu. [online] [9] Bay JH. Tropical Sustainable
Synergyenviron.com. Available from: Architecture. Tropical urban Street
http://www.synergyenviron.com/tool Canyons. 2007; 201–18.

Cite this Article: Vimal Chandrasekaran. A Study on Sun Path of

Coimbatore and Its Irradiation Effects on Buildings using Ecotect
Software and Design Recommendations for Minimizing The Heat
Gain. International Journal of Architecture and Infrastructure
Planning. 2019; 5(2): 36–47p.

AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHY experience in the field of Architecture and

Vimal Chandrasekaran is an
Associate professor working
with Karpagam Academy of
Higher Education,
Coimbatore. He studied B.
Arch from Adhiyamaan
college of Engineering, Hosur and a gold
medalist in M. Arch from Karpagam
University, Coimbatore. He has 15 years of
design consultancy. His passion towards
the Sustainability subject after his master
graduation has made him to orient his
career towards Research, Teaching and
Academics. His current interests are in
Adaptive thermal Comfort, Building
Simulation, Micro Climatic studies, Energy
Efficiency, and Urban heat island Effect
reduction.

IJAIP (2019) 36–47 © JournalsPub 2019. All Rights Reserved Page 47

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