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Production Report Summary

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Mike Pulumbarit
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In This Article:

Overview of Production Report Layout

A detailed Report is available for each completed Simulation:

A. Click the orange PDF button to download a printable PDF report
B. Hourly results can be downloaded in CSV format 
C. Summary metrics, including energy production, performance ratio, and kWh/kWp
D. Project location is shown overhead
E. Monthly production values
F. Chart shows loss factors graphically
G. Shows total losses at each step of the irradiance for the front of the modules
H. Shows total losses at each step of the irradiance for the rear of the modules (Bifacial Only)
I. Shows total losses at each step of the energy calculations
J. Records of the Condition Set assumptions
K. Production probability graph (Pro & Enterprise Plan Only)
L. Production probability table derived from Condition Set assumptions (Pro & Enterprise Plan Only)
M. Details on electrical design assumptions
N. Details on mechanical layout and module orientation
O. Bill of materials for the design, including module, wire, and inverter quantities

Glossary of Terms

Summary Metrics:

Production The total energy generated during the simulation, in MWh or GWh
Performance Ratio

 Performance Ratio (PR) shows the percentage of total potential energy for the array that is converted to AC energy. 

Mathematically, the PR is defined in the following formula:


In the report above we find the following values:

  • Energy to Grid: 98,619.3 kWh
  • DC Nameplate: 57.5 kW
  • POA Irradiance: 2,069.3 kWh/m2

We can calculate the performance ratio as 98,619.3 / (2069.3 * 57.5) = 82.9% 

Note: rounding in POA Irradiance and DC nameplate can cause slight rounding errors in the calculation. To get the full POA irradiance value, you would need to use the hourly CSV export. To get full DC nameplate multiply module count by module wattage. 
Shading will reduce the PR, since it reduces the AC power, but does not reduce the POA irradiance.  However, differences in orientation angle will have very little effect on PR, since the POA irradiance will change with the module orientation.  

* STC stands for Standard Test Conditions. These are measured under lab conditions of 1000W per sq meter of irradiance and 25 degree C.
kWh/kWp The total simulation energy generation divided by the system DC nameplate power.

 

Production Metrics

Annual Global Horizontal Irradiance The total irradiance that will fall on a flat plane at the location of the array.  This is aggregated directly from the weather file.
POA Irradiance The total irradiance in the plane of the modules, accounting for tilt and azimuth angles.  This is averaged across all modules in the array.
Shaded Irradiance The total irradiance accounting for all shading (from horizon, row-to-row, and obstruction)
Irradiance after Reflection The total irradiance after accounting for reflection off the surface of the module (i.e. IAM reflection).  
Irradiance after Soiling Irradiance after module soiling is accounted for.  Note that soiling assumptions are made in the Condition Set.
Total Collector Irradiance The total annual irradiance available to the modules in the array.  This is averaged across all modules.
Nameplate The maximum potential power of the array, defined as the total collector irradiance multiplied by the system nameplate power.
Output at Irradiance Levels The total energy output by the modules, after accounting for low-light effects and module IV curve distortions. More details on Output at Irradiance available here.
Output at Cell Temperature The total output of the modules, factoring in the temperature effects on the IV curves.  This is the sum of the modules at their maximum power points.
Output After Mismatch The total energy output of the modules, factoring in all system constraints (e.g. series & parallel mismatch, voltage drop, etc.). 
Optimizer Output If DC optimizers are present, this shows the total output of the optimizers, factoring in their efficiency curves and principles of operation.  
Optimal DC Output The total energy available energy of the DC system, accounting for all wire resistive losses.
Constrained DC Output The total DC energy after accounting for inverter voltage and power limits. More details about clipping and Constrained DC Output available here
Inverter Output The total AC energy output from the inverters, taking into account inverter performance losses.
Energy to Grid The total AC energy output after accounting for AC wire losses to the point of interconnection

 

Bifacial Metrics (only available with Bifacial Modeling)

Global Incident Irradiance on Surface The irradiance that reaches the Field Segment surface in the surface area close to the module array (within 1 row width of each module).
Surface Reflected Irradiance after Albedo The irradiance reflected off the surface area close to the module array.
Conversion from Surface Area to Collector Area The surface-reflected irradiance normalized to the collector area. (The surface-reflected irradiance is multiplied by the ratio between the surface area and the collector area). This is what the irradiance would be if all surface reflected light was concentrated on the rear side of the modules.
Surface Irradiance in Collector Plane The amount of surface-reflected light captured by the rear side of the modules.
Sky Diffuse The amount of diffuse irradiance incident on the rear side of the modules, including horizon brightening and reflected irradiance from the modules in the row behind.
Beam Effective The amount of direct irradiance incident on the rear side of the modules, including beam and circumsolar components.
Total Unshaded Irradiance on Rear Side The amount of irradiance incident on the rear side of the modules before Rear Shading Factor is applied. This sums Surface Irradiance in the Collector Plane, Sky Diffuse, and Beam Effective components.
Shaded Irradiance on Rear Side The amount of irradiance incident on the rear side of the modules after Rear Shading Factor is applied.
Total Rear Collector Irradiance The amount of irradiance incident on the rear side of the modules after Rear Shading Factor is applied (identical to Shaded Irradiance on Rear Side).
Effective Rear Collector Irradiance The amount of irradiance incident on the rear side of the modules after Rear Shading Factor and Bifaciality Factor are applied. This is the effective amount of irradiance available to the rear cells.
Total Collector Irradiance Total annual irradiance available to the module in the array (averaged across all module and Field Segments).
Output after Rear Mismatch Energy output by the modules, including stringing, mismatch from the electrical simulation, and rear mismatch effects (specified in the Condition Set).

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