The Solmetric SunEye is a well-established solar site assessment tool designed primarily for shade measurement and solar-access analysis. Current and earlier SunEye systems use dedicated optical hardware to capture the surrounding sky and identify obstructions.
Azimutis addresses a related need, but with a different approach. It is a mobile PV field application built around horizon-profile capture, shading analysis and on-site project qualification. The same workflow can then continue into production estimates, preliminary sizing, project scenarios, reports and technical exports.
For professionals looking for a SunEye alternative, the relevant question is therefore not whether both tools work identically, but which workflow better fits the site visit.
SunEye 210 and SunEye 360: why the comparison matters
The SunEye 210 established a familiar field workflow around a dedicated fisheye camera, orientation sensors and immediate solar-access analysis. The newer SunEye 360 keeps the dedicated-hardware approach, using a calibrated spherical camera connected to a mobile device.
If you are searching for a SunEye 210 alternative or comparing a SunEye 360 alternative, Azimutis changes the workflow rather than reproducing the same instrument. There is no separate calibrated SunEye camera to carry: the smartphone or tablet becomes the field tool, and the shading survey continues into the wider PV assessment.
This makes Azimutis relevant when the objective is not only to quantify shading, but also to leave the site with a first usable view of project feasibility.
Solmetric SunEye vs Azimutis
Both tools can contribute to a solar site assessment, but their measurement methods and product scope are different.
| Criteria |
Solmetric SunEye |
Azimutis |
| Primary role |
Dedicated solar shade and solar-access measurement |
On-site PV assessment and feasibility workflow |
| Hardware |
Dedicated SunEye hardware; the SunEye 360 uses a calibrated spherical camera connected to a mobile device |
Compatible smartphone or tablet; no dedicated shade-measurement hardware required |
| Shading capture |
Optical sky image processed to determine shading and solar access |
Horizon profile captured as obstacle azimuth and elevation data |
| Solar access / shading analysis |
Yes |
Yes |
| Field orientation and tilt |
Used as part of the SunEye site-assessment workflow |
Integrated tools for recording roof orientation and tilt during the visit |
| PV project workflow |
Focused on site and shade measurement, with additional Solmetric software depending on the workflow |
Shading, solar potential, production estimate, preliminary roof assessment, scenarios and project indicators in one field workflow |
| Outputs |
Shade / solar-access data, reports and exports depending on SunEye model and software |
PDF report plus CSV, TXT and HOR technical exports |
SunEye capabilities vary by model and companion software. The comparison above focuses on the general field workflow rather than claiming measurement-method equivalence.
Two different approaches to solar shade analysis
The SunEye approach is based on dedicated optical hardware. The SunEye 360, for example, uses a calibrated spherical camera connected to an iOS or Android device to capture and process the sky around the measurement point.
Azimutis does not reproduce that optical measurement method. The app captures a horizon profile by recording the azimuth and elevation of obstacles around the site using the smartphone or tablet.
The resulting profile can be used to analyse:
- near and far shading
- solar access
- obstacle elevation by azimuth
- periods affected by shading
- shading losses and corrected production assumptions
Azimutis also includes calibration, consistency checks and the ability to review or correct captured points before using the survey in the project assessment.
When a Solmetric SunEye may still be the better fit
A SunEye remains relevant when the main requirement is a dedicated shade-measurement instrument with calibrated optical hardware and an established measurement workflow.
This can be particularly important when:
- your company already has procedures built around SunEye measurements
- a dedicated optical shade instrument is explicitly required
- the priority is shade measurement itself rather than a broader PV site-assessment workflow
- you need continuity with historical SunEye data or internal processes
Azimutis should not be presented as a metrological equivalent to a calibrated SunEye camera. The measurement method is different.
When Azimutis may be a better fit
Azimutis is designed for solar professionals who want to turn the technical site visit into a usable first project assessment without carrying an additional dedicated shade device.
It is particularly suited to workflows where you want to:
- capture a horizon profile directly from a smartphone or tablet
- evaluate a shaded site or quickly validate a clear site
- record roof orientation, tilt and first sizing assumptions
- estimate solar potential and PV production while still on site
- compare several project scenarios
- produce a PDF report before returning to the office
- export field data to downstream PV planning tools
The main difference is scope: the shade survey becomes one input in a broader on-site PV feasibility assessment.
From shading measurement to PV feasibility
A shade measurement answers an important question: how much does the surrounding environment reduce solar access?
During a real site visit, however, the decision often requires more information. The installer or engineer may also need to check orientation, tilt, available roof area, installable power and likely production before deciding whether the project should move forward.
Azimutis connects these steps in the same field workflow:
- horizon profile and shading analysis
- sun-path visualisation and solar access
- roof measurement and preliminary PV layout
- installable power estimate
- PV production estimate
- economic and environmental indicators
- scenario comparison
- PDF reporting
The objective is not to replace detailed engineering software, but to make the first technical decision earlier, while the site information is still in front of you.
What about the Solmetric Roof Azimuth Tool?
Solmetric's Roof Azimuth Tool is separate from the SunEye. It is an online tool designed to locate a roof and estimate its azimuth from aerial imagery.
Azimutis takes a different approach. Roof orientation and tilt are recorded during the technical visit and used alongside the actual site environment, shading profile and project assumptions.
If your only requirement is to estimate the compass direction of a roof remotely, a roof-azimuth map tool is the more direct solution. If you need to continue from roof orientation into shading, solar potential, preliminary sizing and PV feasibility, Azimutis covers the broader on-site workflow.
Keep the field data usable in your engineering workflow
Site assessment is more useful when the information collected in the field does not have to be recreated later.
Azimutis can generate a PDF report and export technical site data in formats intended for downstream PV workflows, including:
- CSV data for PVsyst workflows
- TXT horizon data for PVGIS
- HOR files for PV*SOL and HelioScope workflows
This makes the mobile assessment a working input for the next design or engineering stage rather than an isolated field measurement.
Frequently asked questions
Is Azimutis a direct replacement for the Solmetric SunEye?
Not exactly. SunEye is a dedicated shade-measurement system built around calibrated optical hardware. Azimutis uses a smartphone or tablet for horizon-profile capture and extends the workflow into on-site PV feasibility assessment, production estimates, preliminary sizing, reports and exports.
Can Azimutis perform solar shading analysis without dedicated hardware?
Yes. Azimutis uses the sensors and camera of a compatible smartphone or tablet to capture a horizon profile by azimuth and elevation. Calibration, consistency checks and point correction tools help make the survey usable for preliminary PV assessment.
What is the main difference between Solmetric SunEye and Azimutis?
SunEye is primarily a specialized solar shade and solar-access measurement tool. Azimutis is a broader field application designed to connect shading and horizon data with photovoltaic feasibility, production estimates, preliminary roof assessment, reports and engineering exports.
Can Azimutis be used to record roof azimuth and tilt?
Yes. Azimutis includes field tools for orientation and tilt as part of the on-site PV assessment workflow. This is different from Solmetric's Roof Azimuth Tool, which estimates roof azimuth remotely from aerial imagery.
Can Azimutis export horizon data to PV software?
Yes. Azimutis can export technical data in formats including CSV, TXT and HOR for downstream workflows with tools such as PVsyst, PVGIS, PV*SOL and HelioScope, in addition to generating a PDF report.
A different field workflow for solar professionals
Solmetric SunEye and Azimutis approach solar site assessment from different directions. SunEye is built around dedicated shade-measurement hardware. Azimutis uses the mobile device already carried during the visit and connects the horizon survey with the wider PV feasibility workflow.
For installers and engineering teams looking for a SunEye alternative because they want fewer dedicated devices, a broader on-site assessment or a smoother hand-off to the next PV planning step, Azimutis provides another way to structure the site visit.
Solmetric and SunEye are trademarks of their respective owner. Azimutis is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Solmetric.
