Climate & Location
Select a climate file from the database (table or map) or as your own file, set the location parameters latitude, longitude, time zone, and albedo, and inspect climate data in preview plots
Overview
Every dynamic simulation requires a climate file and location parameters. Both are defined on the Climate & Location page of the simulation view. Open the simulation view via the button 
Simulation in the left toolbar (key F10); the Climate & Location page is the first page in the left-hand page list there (icon 
).
All changes on this page are stored as undo-capable project changes and saved with the project (in the project’s Location section).
Source of the climate data
Two radio buttons determine the origin of the climate file:
- Climate database — the climate file is selected from the bundled database (or the user database). The path is stored with a placeholder (
${Database}/DB_climate/...or${User Database}/DB_climate/...), so the project remains runnable on other computers. - Custom file: — your own climate file is specified via the Weather data: file selection field. Supported formats:
*.c6b,*.epw,*.wac,*.dat(file filter “Climate data file formats(*.c6b *.epw *.wac *dat)”). The path can be stored as an absolute path or relative to the project file.
When a file is selected (from the database or your own path), VICUS Buildings automatically takes the latitude, longitude, and time zone from the climate file’s metadata into the location parameters.
Climate database: map and table
The database view has two tabs:
- Map — an interactive map view with one pin per climate station. Use the Data set type: drop-down list to filter by data set (e.g. TRY2015, TRY2045, or All data sets). If “All data sets” is selected, several files at the same location are combined into a cluster pin; the desired file can be chosen in the hover popup. Clicking a pin adopts the station as the project climate. Stations without coordinates do not appear on the map.
- Table — a sortable table view of all climate files with a Text filter:. Clicking a row adopts the file. The file currently referenced in the project is marked synchronously in the table and on the map.
Under Climate data description, the origin (standard database/user database/own file), time behavior (cyclic/non-cyclic), City/Country, Source, Longitude, Latitude, and Altitude are shown for each selected file.
Warning for TRY2011
If a file with the source “TRY 2010” (test reference years 2011) is selected, the warning appears: “The test reference year 2011 (TRY2011) is outdated. We recommend choosing a TRY2015 or TRY2045 data set.”
Editing the location
In the Edit location group, the location parameters are adjusted independently of the climate file:
| Parameter | Value range | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Latitude [+90..-90]: | −90 … +90 degrees | Latitude, −90 (South Pole) to +90 (North Pole) |
| Longitude [-180..180]: | −180 … +180 degrees | Longitude, −180 (west) to +180 (east) |
| Time zone: | UTC −12 … UTC +12 | Time zone of the location |
| Albedo [0..1]: | 0 … 1 | Short-wave reflectance of the surrounding surface |
For the albedo, the drop-down list offers preset values according to VDI 3789 Sheet 2, including: Dry levelled ground – 0.2 · Clay soil – 0.23 · Light sand – 0.37 · Coniferous forest – 0.12 · Deciduous forest – 0.2 · Pavement – 0.15 · Red tiles – 0.33 · Wet medium-grained snow – 0.64 · Dry fresh snow – 0.82. Custom numeric values can be entered directly.
Good to know:
Latitude, longitude, and time zone must be consistent with one another, since the solar position is calculated from them. When switching the climate file, these values are automatically taken from the file — manual corrections are only necessary if the building location deviates significantly from the climate station. The albedo affects, via the radiation reflected from the ground, primarily heavily glazed, near-ground facades.
Preview plots
After a climate file is selected, the data is read in (progress dialog “Reading climate file”) and displayed in five diagrams over the year:
- Ambient temperature (T [C])
- Relative humidity (r.H. [%])
- Short-wave radiation (I [W/m²]) — two curves: direct radiation (normal direction) and diffuse radiation (horizontal)
- Long-wave radiation (I [W/m²]) — atmospheric counter-radiation
- Wind speed (v [m/s])
Diagrams for which the climate file contains no valid data are greyed out. For non-cyclic files (measured data over several years), the time axis follows the file’s data period. You can zoom in the plots with the mouse.
Interaction with the simulation
- Without a valid climate file, the NANDRAD project generation aborts with the error message that a climate data file must be selected.
- The Perez diffuse radiation model is enabled on the “Dynamic Simulation” page and affects the conversion of diffuse radiation onto inclined surfaces.
- The location data is also used by the shading factor calculation and the surroundings analysis (sun path).