Annual Performance

The Annual Performance page displays input variables that impact the system's total annual electric output.

Solar Advisor applies the annual performance factors to the total annual electric output calculated by the hourly simulation model.

You can enter the annual performance factors either as a single value, or as a series of values that apply to each year in the project life. See Editing Annual Schedules for details.

Note. The output data reported in the hourly results and case summary workbook does not take into consideration the system degradation or availability factor on the Annual Performance page. The annual energy quantity reported in the metrics table and graphs on the Results page does take the factors into account. The annual energy quantity on the Results page is equal to the total annual energy output reported in the hourly outputs and case summary spreadsheet multiplied by the availability factor.

Annual System Performance

System Degradation (%)

The system degradation rate can be used to account for annual reduction in electrical output due to aging system components. Solar Advisor applies the degradation rate to the electric output in year 2 and later. The default value of 1 % results in full output in year 1, 99% of the year 1 output in year 2, 99% of the year 2 output in year 3, and so on.

Availability (%)

The availability factor accounts for downtimes due to forced and scheduled outages. Solar Advisor multiplies each hour's calculated electrical output by the system availability factor. The default value of 100 % results in no reduction in output.