Hello,
I'm a newbie to Sketchup and interested in installation of solar panels.
I would like to know if it is possible (probably with a ruby script) to compute the face color of an object (solar panel) to reflect its efficiency, based on the solar angle.
Red (Poor) to Green (Good), or grey scale from 0 to 100%.
Idealy, the color computation could be done in real time when the sun position changes.
The maximum efficiency is when the sun is perpendicular to the surface. If it's not, the surface of the panel that "sees" the sun is diminished :
SeenSurface = PanelSurface * cos(SunAngle)
with SunAngle = angle between the direction of the sun, and the perpendicular to the face.
I've done some ruby programing some time ago, and would like to start in Sketchup with this type of project.
Can you tell me if it looks possible ? If so, any hint on where to start ?
Paul (from France)
PS : The panels can accept angled light up to a certain angle. The response curve of the panels could be added to reflect that also.