Autodesk Revit 2021 Energy Analysis Tools

May 12, 2020 – Autodesk released the Autodesk Revit 2021 Solar and Lighting Analysis Tools

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The Autodesk Revit 2021 Solar Analysis Tool and Autodesk Revit 2021 Lighting Analysis Toolare available via the Autodesk Desktop Connector app or via download from the Autodesk subscription site. The update requires access to the original install resources.

Autodesk Revit 2021 Solar Analysis Tool

Solar Analysis provides in context solar radiation analysis results to help you track solar energy throughout your design. The tool provides automated settings for specific study types, as well as customizable options. Solar analysis uses surfaces on the model. A surface can be created from standard architectural elements (walls, roofs, floors, and ceilings) or conceptual masses. Detailed geometry element types are not supported, including many family types (such as Generic models), grouped objects, components, linked objects, imported surface geometry, and energy analysis model surfaces. Results for these geometry types will often lead to inaccurate results that are close to zero.

Solar Analysis does not assume any material properties. Surfaces are assumed to be either completely opaque, or completely transparent. For this reason, it is not advised to conduct solar analysis on transparent surfaces, like glazing or curtain walls for example.

Autodesk Revit 2021 Lighting Analysis Tool

Lighting Analysis leverages Autodesk A360 to provide the results of a lighting analysis in context. The results are applied to 3D and plan views of your model. Schedules are automatically created to track your model against lighting goals.

To perform an analysis your model must be composed of building elements (walls, floors, roofs, windows, curtain walls, etc). Conceptual mass models will not work. Floor elements are required to produce analysis planes. Floors must be present and visible in the view in order to generate an analysis result. Room elements are required for the following analysis types:

  • LEED v4 EQc7 opt1 (sDA+ASE)
  • Daylight Autonomy (sDA Preview)
  • Solar Access

Other analysis types do not require rooms, but you may find it helpful to have rooms when working with results and schedules. When running an analysis type that does not require room elements, you will receive a warning but can proceed with the analysis without placing rooms in the model.

See Energy Analysis in the Revit help.