Yes, the sun is taken in to consideration but for me the landmarks and celestial phenomenon take precedence over the sun.

On a flight arriving in SFO in the morning hours from the Orient, I sit on the port side to catch a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown San Francisco even though the sun shines on that side in the morning. Starboard side on the flight out to the Orient during noon time hours.

From the West Coast to Texas during daytime hours, I also choose the port side to catch a view of the Grand Canyon. Vice-versa on the starboard side.

Arriving in SYD from the Far East, I also choose the port side for a view of the coast and Sydney Harbour even the sun shines on that side during the morning hours. Flying out during morning or noon, starboard side for another spectacular view of Sydney.

From the Far East to Europe on nighttime flight, I choose the starboard to catch a glimpse of the moon. Vice-versa on the port side.

Flying out of TPE towards the north to Japan and the U.S., starboard on the daytime flights to catch a view of the mouth of Tamsui River, the city of Taipei and the surrounding mountains and the northern coast. However, I always want to change sides mid-flight once we reach Japan because the Japanese coastline is on the port side and sometimes Mt. Fuji is on plain view before descent to either HND or NRT. Flying out towards the south from TPE to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, port side for the populated west coast plains and the Central Mountain Ranges, which are covered with snow during winter months.

Hmmm..... it's always good to know where to sit especailly if you're flying on a route or to an airport for the first time. Perhaps a thread can be devoted to this topic for us flying nuts.