Shade from terrain using ArcGIS Online data

NavaSheer — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:56:15 GMT

I need to evaluate shade from terrain specifically for photovoltaic (PV) site selection in Pro. I want to use an existing data from online, like Hillshade or Terrain – Elevation, but I understand that may not be enough. I really don't want to have to run tools. It is just for an initial anaylsis so a visual would be enough. Is Hillshade the correct layer, is there something else?

Re: Shade from terrain using ArcGIS Online data

JavierML — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:31:59 GMT

Hi @NavaSheer ,

Hillshade is indeed the the layer you need. Maybe the institution of the place you are analysing actually has them already prepared for download. You could also use an official World Hillshade from ESRI.

However, keep in mind that light sources of the hillshades are defined in the transformation process and that property remain static (unless you use layers that have a time dimension like CDF, but that's a bit advanced). That means that one hillshade will reflects the shadows at a certain height and angle from the Sun (that will depend on the day and time of the year, of course).

If you're only interested in very superficial analysis, previously existent Hillsahdes are feasible. But I'd recommend you for a deeper analysis to download a Digital Terrain Model and create the hillshades yourself with your own criteria (e.g.: creating Hillshades that reflects the shades at morning, noon or evening). The process is simple. I will link you a tutorial that you can try it out!

Illuminate terrain with a custom hillshade

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Shade from terrain using ArcGIS Online data

Re: Shade from terrain using ArcGIS Online data