Evaluate renewable energy potential with solar energy analysis

Solar access is an important factor in early-stage sustainable design because it influences daylight, heat gain, occupant comfort, and the potential for on-site renewable energy generation. In this video, you’ll explore how Autodesk Forma Site Design’s Solar Energy Analysis can help identify which roof and façade surfaces receive the greatest solar exposure and may be best suited for photovoltaic panels. You’ll learn how early massing decisions, building height, orientation, and surrounding context can affect solar energy potential, and how these insights can support broader performance goals such as reducing operational energy demand and improving Energy Use Intensity (EUI) outcomes in later analysis workflows.

After completing this video, you’ll be able to:

• Explain how solar energy analysis supports early-stage sustainable design and renewable energy planning.
• Identify roof and façade surfaces with higher solar exposure using Solar Energy Analysis in Forma Site Design.
• Describe how massing, orientation, shading, and surrounding context can affect photovoltaic potential.
• Relate solar energy potential to broader operational performance goals, including reduced grid energy use and improved EUI outcomes in later Revit and Forma Carbon Insights workflows.