Question 1

What is PropertyVibe?

Accepted Answer

PropertyVibe is a web-based platform designed for architects, home buyers, realtors, solar installers, and land developers. It maps the sun's path across the sky for any location and date, simulates building shadows, calculates a Sun Score (0–100), estimates solar panel output, and generates professional PDF reports.

Question 2

Do I need to create an account to use PropertyVibe?

Accepted Answer

PropertyVibe lets you search for any location, view sun trajectories, run shadow simulations, and animate the sun path — all without creating an account. You'll need a free account if you want to save reports, save locations, export PDFs, or track your usage.

Question 3

How do I get started with my first sun analysis?

Accepted Answer

From the PropertyVibe homepage, click 'Analyze a Property' or 'Get Started Free.' You'll see a search bar where you can type any address, city, or landmark. As you type, suggestions will appear — click one to load the map.

Question 4

What is the onboarding tour?

Accepted Answer

The onboarding tour automatically appears the first time you open the map view. It walks you through three key features: the time slider, the shadow simulation toggle, and the side panel with sun data and tools.

Question 5

Which countries does PropertyVibe cover?

Accepted Answer

Sun trajectory calculations use astronomical formulas that work for any latitude and longitude on Earth. Location search is powered by OpenStreetMap's Nominatim service, which covers addresses and landmarks in 180+ countries.

Question 6

What is the Sun Trajectory Arc?

Accepted Answer

The Sun Trajectory Arc plots the sun's position from sunrise to sunset as a curved line on the map. A sun marker moves along this arc to show the current (or selected) time. The arc automatically adjusts for latitude, season, and time zone.

Question 7

How does Shadow Simulation work?

Accepted Answer

Shadow Simulation uses elevation data and the sun's calculated position to render realistic shadows from buildings and terrain onto the map. Click the shadow toggle button on the map toolbar to enable it, then use the time slider to scrub through the day and watch shadows move.

Question 8

What is Sun Score and how is it calculated?

Accepted Answer

Sun Score provides a single number (0–100) summarizing a property's annual sun exposure. The calculation considers total daylight hours across all 12 months, maximum solar altitude, seasonal variation, and weather adjustment using historical cloud cover data.

Question 9

What is the Seasonal Comparison feature?

Accepted Answer

Seasonal Comparison overlays four sun arcs on the map simultaneously: the June solstice, December solstice, and the March and September equinoxes. Each arc is color-coded so you can instantly compare how the sun's path shifts throughout the year.

Question 10

What is the Multi-Date Overlay?

Accepted Answer

Multi-Date Overlay lets you select specific dates and display their sun arcs simultaneously on the map. Unlike Seasonal Comparison, Multi-Date Overlay lets you pick any dates you care about. Each overlay is color-coded.

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