Like the Sun Simulator, the Sun Emulator heliodon is also conceptually clear because it also imitates our everyday experience of the sun passing across the sky-dome while the model is fixed on a horizontal ground plane.  The three main advantages of the Sun Emulator are: shipped completely assembled, can simulate all latitudes, and is small enough to fit through a standard door. Its use is so intuitive that instructions are not necessary. When folded up, the heliodon requires little storage space of about 3 x 6 ft (1 x 2 m). It is an excellent teaching and design tool for architects, planners, and developers. When exhibited in a science museum, it is also an excellent tool to teach the general public solar geometry and solar responsive design principles.

The main disadvantage of the Sun Emulator is its relatively small size because that limits its accuracy. The closer the lights are to the model the less parallel the light striking the model. However, good accuracy can be achieved by using small models and by moving larger models around on the table so that the area of interest is at the center of the table where the accuracy is very high. When small models are used the Sun Emulator correctly demonstrates all solar responsive design principles and strategies.  In spite of its limitations as to the sizes of models, the Sun Emulator  is an excellent tool for teaching solar geometry.