What needs to be enabled in Revit to perform a solar study effectively?

To perform a solar study effectively in Revit, enabling shadows is essential. Shadows allow the visualization of how sunlight interacts with the building throughout different times of the day and seasons. This is crucial for understanding the impact of solar exposure on architectural design, including how light enters spaces, how it highlights architectural features, and how it affects energy efficiency.

When shadows are enabled, you can see realistic representations of sun paths and shadowing effects on the model. This capability helps architects and designers make informed decisions about window placements, overhang designs, and material choices based on natural lighting conditions. By examining shadows, designers can assess the performance of the building's site concerning sunlight exposure, which is important for both aesthetic and functional aspects of architecture.

Enabling other factors like altitude or lighting does not specifically facilitate the solar study process; rather, they play different roles in the overall modeling and visualization within Revit. The sun settings and controls help define the sun's position and can be relevant, but the actual study relies fundamentally on the capability of viewing shadows cast by the sun on the design. Thus, enabling shadows is the key step in effectively analyzing solar effects within the project.