A common question when considering buying or renting a home is the amount of natural light and sunlight it will receive throughout the day. Traditionally, one would rely on the orientation of the house to assess this information. However, with the advancement of new technologies, today we have tools that allow us to determine precisely the exact amount of sunlight that will receive our property at any given time, both daily and annually.
In this article we present a selection of the best websites and apps to know the hours of light and shadows in any location, something that can be decisive in making informed decisions when buying or renting a property.
Needs of the real estate industry
In the real estate sector, it is increasingly important to have tools that help predict the lighting conditions of a home. This is not only a response to aesthetic issues but also to factors of comfort, energy sustainability and savings in electricity consumption.
One of these solutions comes from the platform Cercalia Real State, developed by Nexus Geographics. This platform allows the sun's movements to be replicated in any given area, accurately predicting the lighting and shadow behaviour that will affect a property throughout the day. With tools like this we can know how many hours of sunlight a home will receive during the year.
Although Cercalia was originally focused on the logistics sector, its expansion into the real estate sector has marked a significant shift. Its tool not only offers accurate shadow visualizations, but also allows access to 3D maps that fully simulate the effects of sunlight on properties.
Cercalia: a comprehensive solution
The Cercalia platform, which handles around 15 million requests a day, not only stands out for its functionalities aimed at the logistics, insurance and real estate sectors, but also for its integration of Precise geolocation and solar visualization tools.
Within the real estate sector, Cercalia RealState allows users to visualize how shadows are projected on properties, which is crucial to determining the best orientation of the home. 3D maps, together with the “Solar lighting”, allow these shadows to be simulated at any day and time of the year, something essential for those looking for a home with good lighting conditions.
Furthermore, they offer cheaper options compared to tools like Google Maps, with systems like Here Maps or Mapbox, as well as the free alternative of OpenStreetMaps. This makes Cercalia an affordable and quality option compared to other platforms of its kind.
Best websites and apps to see daylight and shadow hours
In addition to Cercalia, there are other options that also provide Detailed information on daylight and shadow hours anywhere. Below are some of the best alternatives currently available.
1. Shadowmap
Shadowmap is another outstanding tool that allows us to visualize shadows anywhere in the world. This platform, available both on the web and as a mobile app, offers a very detailed simulation of the sun's position and the shadows cast in real time. In addition, it allows you to adjust the time of day, which facilitates long-term analysis of sunlight on any property.
One of the main uses of Shadowmap is to know the best time to take a walk in the shade or to find the best sunny spot in a city. It is also useful for photographers and filmmakers who need to locate the precise hours of light for their shots. Although it has a free version, the full functionality is available under a premium subscription.
2. Sun Surveyor
sunsurveyor is a mobile app primarily intended for photographers and filmmakers, but also extremely useful for monitoring daylight and shadow hours anywhere. Available for both iOS and Android, this app offers a complete view of the path of the sun, moon, and shadows cast at any time of day.
Through the function Augmented reality It is possible to visualize the position of the sun directly over the real scene, which becomes a key tool for those who want to capture the best moment of light. In addition, Sun Surveyor also allows you to calculate how much light a property will receive during the year, which makes it especially useful for those interested in plot location or real estate investment decisions.
3. SunCalc
SunCalc SunCalc is a free web-based tool that allows users to view the sun's path and the different shadow projections throughout the day. This app is ideal for both architects and anyone curious who wants to know how the sun hits their home or project at different times of the year. SunCalc sets itself apart by its simplicity and delivery of fast, intuitive results. It is perfect for those looking for a hassle-free solution.
Benefits of assessing sunlight on properties
Knowing how much sunlight a property receives is crucial not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also for reasons of energy efficiency and comfort. Homes that are well-oriented and have more natural light can reduce electricity consumption due to a lower need for lighting and air conditioning during the day.
Furthermore, properties with good natural lighting tend to be more attractive on the real estate market. This translates into a higher market value and a better quality of life for the inhabitants. The apps and websites mentioned above allow these aspects to be evaluated with a very precise level of detail, which makes decision-making more informed.
Whether you are buying a new property, optimizing your home or simply looking for a tool for your hobbies, these apps prove to be versatile and effective solutions for knowing the hours of light and shade in any location.