SunPosition provides a variety of solar calculations, and is found on the weather palette along with a similar MoonPosition component. From the palette, copy (drag and drop) the SunPosition component into any station location.
Like the MoonPosition component, but unlike other weather components, SunPosition does not require the station host (JACE) to have the WeatherService,
nor to have Internet connectivity. Output calculations are mathematically derived and executed solely within the station.
Usage applies to any geographic location, and not just the U.S. or North America.
To use, enter Longitude and Latitude values in decimal degrees (that is, both minutes and seconds in decimal format) into the SunPosition component, and .
At the time of this document, an online converter for going from degrees, minutes, seconds, to decimal degrees can be found
at: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html
Based on these values, along with the station’s date and time, solar calculations are available in properties. Unlike the MoonPosition component, there is no special (iconic) view for SunPosition.
If using the WeatherService and NwsWeatherProviders, to simplify setup, copy it under the 
Provider of a WeatherReport, as shown in the following Figure 27. This lets you easily copy its longitude and latitude values, if desired. Or, if needed, enter these values independently.
In addition to properties below, SunPosition has an available Recalculate action, to immediately recalculate all read-only properties.
A SunPosition component has the following properties:
-
Enabled
By default,
truefor enabled. If set tofalse(disabled), calculations stop and other properties remain unchanged. -
Update Period
Interval at which ongoing calculations are made, reflected in properties below. The default update period is every (1) minute.
-
Longitude
Geographical longitude for the location, in decimal degrees. You must enter appropriate values for both this and the next (Latitude) property.
Default values for longitude and latitude apply only to the Richmond VA NWS provider. For any NwsWeatherProvider, these unique
values are on its property sheet. See Figure 27.
-
Latitude
Geographical latitude for the location, in degrees. You must enter appropriate values for both this and the previous (Longitude) property.
Remaining properties are all read-only types. Properties with degree values use data type of Baja Double.
-
Sunrise
Timestamp for calculated sunrise, in Baja Time format.
-
Sunset
Timestamp for calculated sunset, in Baja Time format.
-
Noon
Timestamp for calculated astronomical noon (sun at highest point for the day), in Baja Time format.
-
Midnight
Timestamp for calculated astronomical midnight (sun at nadir for the day), in Baja Time format.
-
Max Elevation
Calculated maximum angle of solar elevation in degrees, from center of sun to horizon. Occurs at astronomical noon.
-
Min Elevation
Calculated minimum angle of solar elevation in degrees, (a negative value). Occurs at astronomical midnight.
-
Current Elevation
Calculated current angle of solar elevation in degrees, between the Max and Min Elevation values.
-
Current Elevation
Calculated current angle of solar elevation, between the Max and Min Elevation values.
-
Current Azimuth
Calculated current azimuth angle of the sun, in degrees clockwise from North.
-
Current Declination
Calculated solar declination angle, in degrees.
-
Current Right Ascension
Calculated solar right ascension angle, in degrees.