Horizon Profile and Altitude Data API

For solar shading analysis

Topography, everywhere.

/horizon and /altitude deliver horizon and altitude data around the globe. Ideal for visibility analysis, far-horizon shading studies, and advanced geospatial modeling. With upgraded resolution that gives you precise insight into any terrain. Gain complete geo-awareness.

At a glance.

Everywhere

Available anywhere on the globe.

High Resolution

360° horizon with 1° resolution. Elevation model with 30m resolution.

Parameters

Hor

Horizon elevation

Alt

Altitude

Getting started.

Explore our live Horizon demo with real location data – no account required.

Try Demo

Browse our Horizon API Documentation to explore available endpoints.

View API Specs

Don't just know where you are,
know what's around you.

Let's do business together.

To use the Horizon API simply buy Meteonorm API Tokens. Tokens are usable across all Meteonorm API products, so you can use the services you need, without a hassle.

Pricing

Endpoint

Tokens per request

/horizon
50
/altitude
2

Bundles

Do you need data for one project or want to test the API for your specific locations and needs? Bundles are a great way to get started. You buy a set amount of tokens that you can use as you like. And don't worry, you can always buy more.

S

Tokens*
2000
Price (CHF)
90.–
Enough for
40
Horizon requests
— or —
1000
Altitude requests

Buy

M

Tokens*
30 000
Price (CHF)
600.–
Enough for
600
Horizon requests
— or —
15 000
Altitude requests

Buy

L

Tokens*
100 000
Price (CHF)
1000.–
Enough for
2000
Horizon requests
— or —
50 000
Altitude requests

Buy

Plans

Do you need data regularly and want to take advantage of more competitive pricing? Our plans renew your set amount of tokens every month. Great value for money.

S

Tokens/month
10 000
Price/year (CHF)
960.–
Enough for
200
Horizon requests
— or —
5000
Altitude requests

per month

Buy

M

Tokens/month
100 000
Price/year (CHF)
2400.–
Enough for
2000
Horizon requests
— or —
50 000
Altitude requests

per month

Buy

L

Tokens/month
1 000 000
Price/year (CHF)
4800.–
Enough for
20 000
Horizon requests
— or —
500 000
Altitude requests

per month

Buy

* Tokens are valid for 4 years

You can combine multiple plans and bundles, e. g. 2 x plan L.

Custom Offer

Have requirements that go beyond the standard?
Whether you're an educational institution, an ambitious startup, or you're running a data-hungry app with unpredictable spikes — we're ready.
Let's build the solution that fits you.

Contact us

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Meteonorm Horizon & Altitude and what benefits does it offer?

Meteonorm Horizon & Altitude provides 360° horizon profiles (shading profiles) and accurate elevation data above sea level for any location on Earth. Primary benefits include automated far-shading analysis for solar systems and geospatial data enrichment for architecture, wind energy, telecommunications, and GIS software.

Which Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is Meteonorm Horizon based on?

Horizon lines and elevations are derived from the high-resolution Copernicus GLO-30 Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Featuring a spatial terrain resolution of 30 meters at the equator, it delivers terrain accuracy even in complex mountainous regions.

Which use cases is the Horizon API best suited for?

  • PV Far-Shading Analysis: Automatically detecting hills, mountains, and terrain elevations to calculate far-shading losses (horizon masks) in solar projects.
  • Solar & CAD Software Integration: Automatically populating elevation and horizon profiles in planning tools without manual user input or field measurements.
  • Line-of-Sight & Geospatial Studies: Topography assessments for telecommunications (radio links), wind energy, environmental studies, and architecture.

What exact data and resolutions do the API endpoints deliver?

  • Horizon: Delivers a 360° horizon profile in 1° increments (360 values). Each value represents the terrain elevation angle (0° to 90°) for its corresponding azimuth (0° = North, 90° = East, 180° = South, 270° = West).
  • Altitude: Delivers the exact terrain elevation of the location in meters above sea level (m a.s.l.).

In which formats and interfaces are the Horizon data available?

Access is provided via a REST API with structured JSON output. Queries simply require latitude and longitude.

How does billing work for the Horizon API (token costs)?

  • Horizon: 50 tokens per request (e.g., 40 horizon calls in Bundle S for CHF 90).
  • Altitude: 2 tokens per request (e.g., 1,000 altitude calls in Bundle S for CHF 90).
Tokens purchased via bundles or plans can be used across all Meteonorm API products.