Find the perfect spot in the sun or shade with this clever map
This online tool tracks how the sun moves and how shadows fall in real time, making it easier to plan meals out, sightseeing and even property decisions
This might be one of the greatest inventions yet, a map that lets you check where the sun and shade will fall. It might feel like the kind of tool you’d expect to come from sunny Spain, but it’s actually an Austrian company behind it. The software we’re talking about is Shadowmap, which was created by a small tech company based in Vienna.
When you check out the website, you can see that Shadowmap seems to have been designed for filmmakers, architects or people planning solar panel installations or buying a home. But in Spain, people have found an even greater use for this app: to find which terrace is in the shade in the summer or in the sun in the winter!
Because it definitely makes a difference, finding a sunny spot in winter can make sitting outside far more comfortable. In summer, it is often the opposite, and sitting in full sun, even for a short time, can quickly become too much.
The way the map works is pretty straightforward. You type in any location and it shows how the sun moves across that area throughout the day. As the sun shifts, you can watch how shadows fall and change, hour by hour. This makes it easy to see exactly what a street, terrace or building will be like before you even step outside.
It's also handy for planning days out or sightseeing. Anyone who’s arrived at a famous viewpoint or landmark only to find it completely in shadow will appreciate this. It gives a much better idea of when a place will be at its brightest, which is especially useful for photos.
Even though it might seem like a small detail, Shadowmap has practical uses beyond just choosing a sunny terrace. If you’re thinking about solar panels, it shows how much direct sunlight a roof will get, something that directly affects energy production. And for anyone house hunting, it’s a simple way to check how much natural light a property will receive during the day and across different seasons.
The free version lets you see shadows for the current day, while the paid version lets you look ahead and compare different times of year. This can be useful if you’re planning something longer term, like a renovation, a solar installation or deciding whether a house will feel bright enough in winter.
We will soon have an app for everything, it seems, but some of them are pretty handy. In spring, it helps to find those sun traps to enjoy the sun for longer, and in the summer, knowing where the shade will be can save you from a very sweaty lunch.
And of course you can use it for its original function if you are a photographer, a gardener or an urban planner for example!
Read also: Spain becomes the cheapest solar energy market in Europe as prices hit four-year low
Image: Artistic representation
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