An optical assembly that includes at least one polarizing filter assembly and at least one sensor. The polarizing filter assembly is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by a sun and transmit at least three different portions of EMR towards the at least one sensor, each portion filtered based on a different polarization orientation. A processor device is configured to receive sensor data generated by the at least one sensor in response to receipt of the at least three different portions of EMR, and determine an elevation angle of the sun with respect to a horizon from a geographic location of the optical assembly.