Solar radiation
C4B charts direct normal, diffuse horizontal and global horizontal radiation for the site, with a compass to read the radiation reaching vertical surfaces facing any direction.
PV energy potential
The yearly PV potential analysis sweeps panel tilt and azimuth to show both the solar radiation received and the electricity produced, and highlights the optimal tilt. Projects on a paid plan add the optimal PV panel orientation to the design direction.
Geothermal potential
Ground temperature profiles down to 10 m for the three coldest and three warmest months, from the weather station file's ground temperature data, for a first look at ground-source heat pumps and earth-coupled strategies.
See your site's climate before design begins
Pin any location and get climate, comfort and preliminary energy insight your whole team can read. Start with a 7-day free trial, or book a 30-minute demo.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between direct, diffuse and global radiation?
Direct normal radiation comes straight from the sun's disc, diffuse horizontal radiation is scattered by the sky and clouds, and global horizontal radiation is the total reaching a horizontal surface.
How is PV potential calculated?
With the open-source pvlib library, using an isotropic-sky model across a sweep of panel tilts and azimuths and a 19% module efficiency. It is an early-stage estimate, not a detailed PV system design.
Does C4B estimate wind energy potential?
Not yet. Wind energy potential is shown as coming soon; today C4B analyses wind for comfort and design through its wind roses.
Learn the concepts
How to read a sun path diagram
Altitude, azimuth, date and hour lines, polar and cylindrical charts, and how shading masks test overhangs and fins.
GHI, DNI and DHI
What GHI, DNI and DHI mean, how they relate, their units and data sources, and how they feed façade, shading and PV design.
Grid carbon intensity
What gCO₂e/kWh measures, the difference between average, marginal, lifecycle and direct factors, and where the data comes from.
Related features
Sun path diagram
Sun path diagrams in 2D, 3D and globe views, together with monthly daytime cloud cover.
Preliminary energy analysis
An hourly preliminary energy balance and orientation and aspect-ratio optimization for early design.
Grid carbon intensity
The carbon intensity and generation mix of the national electricity grid, compared with other countries.