What term refers to the angle above the horizon?

The term that refers to the angle above the horizon is best described as solar altitude. Solar altitude measures how high the sun is in the sky relative to the observer's horizon at any given point in time. This angle changes throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky, and it is crucial for evaluating solar access, shading, and the overall impact of sunlight in a given space.

In landscape and architectural design, understanding solar altitude helps in planning buildings, outdoor spaces, and landscaping elements that respond to the sun's path. Utilizing solar altitude effectively can enhance energy efficiency and comfort in a built environment, guiding decisions around window placements, shading devices, and other design interventions that optimize natural light and minimize heat gain.

Other terms such as azimuth describe the horizontal angle of the sun's position, longitude relates to the geographic location on the Earth's surface, and elevation can refer to height above a certain point but is not specifically the angle above the horizon. Therefore, solar altitude is the accurate term in this context.