Geometrical Assessment of Sunlit and Shaded Area of Urban Trees Based on Aligned Orthographic Views

To quantify the ecosystem services of trees in urban environments, it is necessary to assess received direct solar radiation each tree. While Sky View Factor (SVF) suitable for assessing total incoming short- and longwave fluxes, its information limited specific points space. For a spatial analysis, sample area SVF. A new geometrical method, Area (AVF), calculation sunlit areas proposed. AVF ratio unhidden, projected surface an object whole complex environment. Hereby, virtual, orthographic camera oriented accordance sun’s position 3D model domain. The method implemented microscale SkyHelios, utilizing efficient rendering techniques all parallel. was applied Rieselfeld Freiburg, Germany. assessed compared SVF at top tree altitude angle, revealing strong relationship between angles. This study shows that methodology trees. Based on AVF, possible identify with shaded trees, but can also be other objects environments. Therefore, applicable architecture or energetic research questions.