How much of a difference does sun angle make (Miami: home, live)

[SEFLANATIVE]

Does Miami's 80/88.5 degree sun angle really matter against the Caribbean/Tropics 90 degree angle very curious to know if its a big difference like Rick Santos makes it out to be or is it to close to matter?

[elchevere]

To me, access to coastal breezes and shade (v direct sunlight) are difference makers here….the hottest days during the summer are the 2x month 2-3 day periods from June - October with no clouds and no breezes. Also, for me, 85 degrees is my cutoff—anything at or below feels great; when you get above it can feel warmer/hotter to me (even just 2-3 degrees—not taking heat index into consideration).

Now, when I lived in SoCal I noticed the difference the sun’s angle made—a warm 80 degree day in October was noticeably more comfortable than a similar day in August.

Originally Posted by SEFLANATIVE

Does Miami's 80/88.5 degree sun angle really matter against the Caribbean/Tropics 90 degree angle very curious to know if its a big difference like Rick Santos makes it out to be or is it to close to matter?

[SEFLANATIVE]

Originally Posted by elchevere

To me, access to coastal breezes and shade (v direct sunlight) are difference makers here….the hottest days during the summer are the 2x month 2-3 day periods from June - October with no clouds and no breezes. Also, for me, 85 degrees is my cutoff—anything at or below feels great; when you get above it can feel warmer/hotter to me (even just 2-3 degrees—not taking heat index into consideration).

Now, when I lived in SoCal I noticed the difference the sun’s angle made—a warm 80 degree day in October was noticeably more comfortable than a similar day in August.

which is does the angle in the sky matter as Rick Santos Constantly makes as his arguing point or is that slight difference too close to really matter ?

[beach43ofus]

You do not want the rear of your home to face west. The UV rays will harm your window treatments, flooring, furnishings near windows, over time unless you tint your windows with a strong uv blocker. Anything on your Lanai will have a shorter life too...like outdoor furniture.

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by MattJTMueller

well, ideally you're correct about rear facing west, but if you have a pool and you like to use it say in Dec to March, it's tolerable in the late afternoons

Pool experts say you want the rear facing South as #1 choice, and North #2. This way the pool water will get some Sun all day keeping it warmer to minimize heating costs in Winter.

Call a pool company to confirm. That is what they told me...Superior Polls in North Port, FL.

[jvalens]

Originally Posted by SEFLANATIVE

Does Miami's 80/88.5 degree sun angle really matter against the Caribbean/Tropics 90 degree angle very curious to know if its a big difference like Rick Santos makes it out to be or is it to close to matter?

I'm also curious about sun angles and solar energy output, but I couldn't find a lot of hard data.

My belief is that with a clear sky, an 88° sun angle should have similar solar intensity at sea level, no matter the location on Earth. Although, obviously the tropical locations will have a higher average sun angle compared to Miami, as you move closer to the equator. I think the average sun angle makes a huge difference.

What sets Miami apart from an equatorial city like Singapore, is Miami goes through a "winter" period with low sun angles and solar intensity comparable to a European country. This happens when the subsolar point moves all the way down to the Tropic of Capricorn, the December solstice.

Miami only has a solar noon angle of 41° during the December soltice. That's not a summer sun angle at all. That a weak temperate zone sun angle with low solar intensity.

Singapore never gets a sun angle that low. The lowest solar noon angle during the December soltice is 65° for Singapore.

If you look at a city like Paris, their maximum sun angle at the June soltice is ~65°. The strongest sun light of the year in Paris is comparable to the weakest sun light of the year in Singapore.