Ideal if your project:
Send your plans and available site information. We'll review what is needed for your project and provide a fixed quote or clear next steps.
Site plans, floor plans, elevations, survey information and any council or planner requirements are usually enough for an initial review.
12+ years
Building performance experience
National
Projects across Australia
Architect-led
Design-informed review
35+ people
Coordinated national team
You don't need to work out exactly what shadow diagrams are required before getting started. Send your available plans, elevations and site information, along with any council or planner requirements. We'll review what you have and let you know what's still needed.
After reviewing your project, you'll receive:
Why project teams choose Certified Energy
Is this service right for your project?
If council, your planner or architect needs the shadow impact of a proposed development documented, shadow diagrams can show how the project affects sunlight across the site and neighbouring properties.
Development application
Your council or planner may require shadow diagrams as part of the planning documentation. Send us the requirements and available drawings and we can review what is needed.
Overshadowing
If overshadowing is a concern, the diagrams can clearly show how the proposed development changes shadows across adjoining properties and outdoor areas.
Design review
If your design is still developing, shadow diagrams can help your architect or planner understand potential overshadowing before the project is submitted.
Where do you start?
Shadow requirements can vary between projects and councils. Reviewing them early helps avoid finding out late that additional diagrams, times or neighbouring impacts need to be documented.
Send the drawings and planning information you already have. We’ll review what appears to be required and identify anything still needed before the diagrams are prepared.
They may form part of your development application, respond to council requirements or help address a specific overshadowing concern.
Site plans, floor plans, elevations, survey information and neighbouring context usually establish whether the work can begin.
We’ll identify any missing drawings, site information or specific planning requirements needed before the shadow diagrams are completed.
Planning your shadow diagrams
The shadow diagrams needed for your project depend on the proposed development, surrounding properties and the requirements of the relevant council or planning authority.
Send your drawings and any planning requirements you have received. We’ll establish the scope before the diagrams are prepared.
SEND YOUR PLANSYour project documentation and any council or planner requirements are reviewed to establish which shadow diagrams need to be prepared.
The proposed building, site orientation and relevant neighbouring properties are checked so the diagrams reflect the project accurately.
Once the required information is confirmed, the shadow diagrams are prepared for use by your architect, planner or project team as part of the planning process.
What you'll receive
You'll receive diagrams that clearly show the shadow impact of the proposed development at the agreed dates and times for your project.
The final documentation can then be used by your architect, planner or project team as part of the planning and submission process.
Item 01
Diagrams are prepared using the proposed design, site orientation and relevant surrounding context.
Item 02
The diagrams show the required shadow conditions at the dates and times confirmed for your planning submission.
Item 03
Where relevant, the documentation shows how the proposed development affects the site and adjoining properties.
Item 04
Your completed diagrams are supplied for coordination with your architect, planner or other project documentation.
Why Certified Energy
Your shadow diagrams are one part of a wider planning and design process. They need to reflect the proposed building accurately and communicate its shadow impact clearly.
Our architect-led team works with project drawings, site information and planning requirements to prepare documentation that fits into the work already being done by your architect, designer or planner.
Your drawings are reviewed with an understanding of building form, orientation and the surrounding site context.
Our wider work in solar access, daylight and building performance gives the team practical context when reviewing shadow impacts.
Shadow impacts are presented clearly so the diagrams can be readily understood and coordinated with the wider planning submission.
We can coordinate with your architect, designer or planner when drawings, site information or planning requirements need to be clarified.
How it works
Start with the drawings and planning information you already have. We’ll review the project, confirm the scope and let you know if anything else is needed.
Step 01
Share your available site plans, floor plans, elevations, survey information and any council or planner requirements.
Step 02
We review the proposed development, site context and available planning requirements to establish what diagrams are needed.
Step 03
Once the scope and project information are confirmed, the required shadow diagrams are prepared for the agreed dates and times.
Step 04
Your completed shadow diagrams are supplied for coordination with your architect, planner or wider planning submission.
Start with what you have
Send your available drawings and any council or planner requirements. We'll review what you have, confirm the scope and let you know if anything else is needed.
SEND YOUR PLANSFrequently Asked Questions
Shadow diagrams show how shadows from a proposed development fall across the site and surrounding properties at selected dates and times. They are commonly prepared to support planning and development applications.
Shadow diagrams may be requested as part of a development application, where overshadowing or solar access needs to be demonstrated, or where council, your architect or planner has identified shadow impacts as part of the planning review.
Send the drawings and project information you already have. This may include a site plan, floor plans, elevations, survey information, neighbouring context and any shadow requirements provided by council or your planner.
Requirements can vary depending on the council, project and planning controls that apply. If you have received specific instructions, send them with your drawings and we can review the required scope before the diagrams are prepared.
Yes. Shadow diagrams can be reviewed while the design is still developing. Early assessment can help your architect or planner identify potential overshadowing issues before the planning documentation is finalised.
You’ll receive project-specific shadow diagrams showing the agreed shadow conditions for the relevant dates and times. The diagrams can then be coordinated with your architect, planner or wider planning submission.
Yes. Where needed, we can coordinate with your architect, designer or planner to clarify drawings, site information and the shadow requirements for the project.
For a deeper explanation of shadow diagrams, overshadowing, solar access and how they are used in the planning process, visit our Shadow Diagrams Knowledge Hub.
Send your available plans, site information and any council or planner requirements. We’ll review what you have, confirm the scope and provide a fixed quote or clear next steps.
