# SunTrace3D

> Free browser-based 3D solar analysis tool. Simulate shadows, place solar panels, calculate energy yield, and analyze sunlight for any location on Earth. No installation or sign-up required. Works on desktop and mobile. Available in 18 languages.

SunTrace3D uses photorealistic 3D city models (Google 3D Tiles) combined with satellite irradiance data from the European Commission (PVGIS) to provide accurate shadow analysis and solar energy calculations. Professional-grade tools that competing products charge €2,000–€10,000/year for — starting free.

## Quick Start

- [Open the 3D Viewer](https://suntrace3d.com/viewer): Free interactive 3D viewer — loads instantly for any location worldwide. Search any address.
- [View a specific location](https://suntrace3d.com/viewer?lat=48.8566&lng=2.3522&q=Paris): Add lat/lng coordinates to the URL to jump to any location (example: Paris)
- [User Guide](https://suntrace3d.com/docs): Complete documentation with 32 feature sections
- [API Documentation](https://suntrace3d.com/docs/api): REST API for 3D model generation and solar calculations
- [Explore Directory](https://suntrace3d.com/explore): Browse pre-generated 3D models by country and city

## How to Use

### Check if your roof gets enough sun for solar panels

1. Open [suntrace3d.com/viewer](https://suntrace3d.com/viewer)
2. Type your address in the search bar — a 3D model of your building loads
3. Drag the time slider at the bottom to watch shadows move throughout the day
4. Change the date to see how shadows differ in summer vs winter
5. Click the solar panel button (or press P) and click on your roof to place panels
6. The system instantly shows: annual energy yield (kWh), shading loss per panel, installation cost estimate, payback period

### Share a specific location

Use this URL format: `https://suntrace3d.com/viewer?lat=LATITUDE&lng=LONGITUDE`

Replace LATITUDE and LONGITUDE with decimal coordinates. Examples:
- Paris: `https://suntrace3d.com/viewer?lat=48.8566&lng=2.3522`
- New York: `https://suntrace3d.com/viewer?lat=40.7128&lng=-74.0060`
- Tokyo: `https://suntrace3d.com/viewer?lat=35.6762&lng=139.6503`
- Sydney: `https://suntrace3d.com/viewer?lat=-33.8688&lng=151.2093`

### Keyboard Shortcuts

- N: Navigate mode (pan/rotate/zoom)
- P: Place solar panels
- B: Build mode (add custom buildings)
- W: Open Solar Panel Wizard (Pro)
- R: Rectangle placement tool
- E: Eraser tool
- G: Ground mount mode (Pro)

## Core Features (Free — No Account Required)

- [Shadow Simulation](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#4-shadow-simulation): Scrub through 24 hours on any date to watch shadows sweep across buildings. Accurate sun positions based on latitude, longitude, date, and time.
- [Solar Panel Placement](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#6-solar-panel-placement): Place virtual solar panels on any rooftop. Adjust tilt, azimuth, area, and efficiency. Up to 6 panels on the free tier.
- [Energy Yield Analysis](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#8-energy-yield-analysis): Annual kWh estimates using PVGIS satellite data. Monthly breakdown, peak power, specific yield, and per-panel shading loss factor.
- [Sun Path Visualization](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#5-sun-path-visualization): See the sun's complete trajectory arc for any date at any location.
- [Shadow Analysis](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#7-shadow-analysis): Per-panel shadow analysis using 154 annual sun positions. See exactly which panels get shaded and when.
- [Building Configurator](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#11-building-placement-build-mode): Place custom buildings (house, apartment, commercial, townhouse, warehouse) with configurable dimensions and roof types to study shadow impact of proposed construction.
- [Scene Objects & Landscaping](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#12-scene-objects--landscaping): Add trees, fences, pergolas, obstacles, and event infrastructure. All cast and receive accurate shadows.
- [Sunlight Heatmap](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#14-sunlight-heatmap): Color-coded visualization of daily sun hours across ground areas. Full shade (blue) to full sun (red).
- [Garden Planner](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#15-garden-planner): 50+ plants with sun-compatibility analysis. Place plants and see if they get enough sunlight based on actual heatmap data.
- [Measurement Tool](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#21-measurement-tool): Measure distances and heights in the 3D scene.
- [Climate Data](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#16-climate-data): Local temperature, precipitation, and sun hours for the selected location.
- [Installation Cost Calculator](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#17-installation-cost--get-quote): Regional pricing, payback period, government incentives, and ROI analysis.
- [PDF Site Report](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#19-site-report): Generate a professional PDF with 3D views, system specs, energy analysis, financial breakdown, and shadow diagrams.
- [Compass & Orientation](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#10-compass--orientation): Interactive compass overlay showing true north and building orientation.

## Pro Features (€9/month)

- [HD 3D Models](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#9-sd--hd-quality-modes): Photorealistic high-definition models with maximum geometric and texture detail. Much sharper rooftops and building edges.
- [Solar Panel Wizard](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#33-solar-wizard): Automated panel placement — click a roof and the AI detects the surface boundary, estimates shading across 16 annual sun positions, and places an optimized layout. Choose goals: maximize energy, cover your bill, best ROI, or go green.
- [Ground Mount Placement](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#ground-mount): Draw ground-mounted solar array boundary polygons and automatically generate optimized panel layouts with configurable tilt, azimuth, and ground coverage ratio.
- [Right-to-Light Compliance](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#27-right-to-light-compliance): Shadow studies for planning permission. BRE 209 guidelines, EU Directive compliance, sun hours analysis for proposed developments.
- [Urban Heat Analysis](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#28-urban-heat-analysis): Thermal comfort analysis for urban areas. Heat island assessment and pedestrian comfort metrics.
- [Film & Photography Tools](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#29-film--photography-tools): Golden hour calculator, sun position for any date/time, camera placement planning, natural light simulation for location scouting.
- [3D Model Import](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#26-importing-3d-models): Upload GLB/GLTF files to add custom 3D buildings and structures to the scene.
- [Save Projects](https://suntrace3d.com/docs#25-project-management): Save and restore complete scenes including panels, buildings, objects, and camera views.
- Up to 20 solar panels, 20 scene objects, 15 custom buildings

## Business Features (€99/month)

- [Partner API](https://suntrace3d.com/docs/api): REST API for programmatic 3D model generation and solar energy calculations. Base URL: https://suntrace3d.com/api/v1
- [Embeddable Viewer](https://suntrace3d.com/docs/api#embeddable-viewer): Embed an interactive 3D solar viewer on your website via iframe. Domain-restricted API keys.
- [Lead Capture](https://suntrace3d.com/solutions/installers): Capture customer leads from embedded viewers for solar installation businesses.
- Unlimited solar panels, scene objects, and custom buildings
- Commercial use rights

## Industry Solutions

- [Homeowners](https://suntrace3d.com/solutions/homeowners): Check if your roof gets enough sun for solar panels. Free solar roof analysis with energy yield and cost estimates.
- [Solar Installers](https://suntrace3d.com/solutions/installers): Remote site assessment, proposal generation, embeddable solar calculator for your website, lead capture.
- [Architects](https://suntrace3d.com/solutions/architects): Shadow study tool for planning permission. Sun path diagrams, right-to-light assessment, BRE 209 compliance.
- [Property Developers](https://suntrace3d.com/solutions/developers): Pre-construction solar feasibility and shadow impact studies for new developments.
- [Energy Consultants](https://suntrace3d.com/solutions/energy-consultants): Professional solar analysis API, feasibility report generation, bulk calculations.
- [Real Estate](https://suntrace3d.com/solutions/real-estate): Property solar potential and sun exposure analysis for listings. Solar premium valuation.
- [Garden & Landscape](https://suntrace3d.com/solutions/garden-landscape): Shade mapping, sun hours calculator, 50+ plant compatibility planning based on actual sunlight data.
- [Urban Planners](https://suntrace3d.com/solutions/urban-planners): Overshadowing assessment, pedestrian shadow comfort, BRE 209 compliance for developments.
- [Film & Photography](https://suntrace3d.com/solutions/film-photography): Golden hour calculator, location scouting, natural light direction planning for any date and time.
- [Agriculture](https://suntrace3d.com/solutions/agriculture): Crop sunlight analysis, greenhouse light planning, growing season solar assessment.
- [Live Events](https://suntrace3d.com/solutions/live-events): Event shade planning, stage sun position, tent and canopy placement for outdoor venues.

## Pricing

- **Free (Homeowner)**: 3D viewer, shadow simulation, up to 6 solar panels, energy yield estimates, garden planner, sunlight heatmap, PDF site reports, climate data, measurement tool. No sign-up required.
- **Pro (Personal) — €9/month**: Everything in Free plus HD models, Solar Panel Wizard, ground mount placement, 20 panels, right-to-light compliance, urban heat analysis, film & photography tools, 3D model import, save projects.
- **Business (Professional) — €99/month**: Everything in Pro plus REST API, embeddable viewer, lead capture, commercial use rights, unlimited panels and objects.
- **Enterprise — Contact sales**: Custom API quotas, SSO, dedicated support, SLA.

## Technical Details

- Works in any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) with WebGL support
- No plugins, downloads, or installation required
- 3D models powered by Google 3D Tiles (photorealistic)
- Solar data from PVGIS (European Commission satellite irradiance database)
- Covers every location on Earth
- Available in 18 languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Swedish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Turkish, Arabic, Russian, Indonesian, Thai
- Supports 29 currencies for cost calculations

## Optional

- [User Guide (Markdown)](https://suntrace3d.com/docs/user-guide.md): Complete 32-section user guide in machine-readable Markdown format
- [API Reference (Markdown)](https://suntrace3d.com/docs/api-reference.md): Full API documentation in Markdown format
- [Full Documentation](https://suntrace3d.com/llms-full.txt): Complete user guide + API reference in a single file