<P> The relative position of the Sun is a major factor in the heat gain of buildings and in the performance of solar energy systems . Accurate location - specific knowledge of sun path and climatic conditions is essential for economic decisions about solar collector area, orientation, landscaping, summer shading, and the cost - effective use of solar trackers . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section is too long . Consider splitting it into new pages, adding subheadings, or condensing it . (June 2017) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section is too long . Consider splitting it into new pages, adding subheadings, or condensing it . (June 2017) </Td> </Tr> <P> Sun paths at any latitude and any time of the year can be determined from basic geometry . The Earth's axis of rotation tilts about 23.5 degrees, relative to the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun . As the Earth orbits the Sun, this creates the 47 ° declination difference between the solstice sun paths, as well as the hemisphere - specific difference between summer and winter . </P>

In the southern hemisphere the sun rises in the