System Summary

The System Summary page displays variables that describe the system's capacity and capital costs. Solar Advisor displays the variables so that you can quickly see some key properties of the system. The variables on the System Summary page are copies of variables from other input pages.

Solar Advisor displays the same set of summary variables for all of the technologies to facilitate quick comparisons of different cases using different technologies.

System Summary

System Nameplate Capacity (kW)

The system's rated or nominal capacity in kilowatts. For photovoltaic systems, the value is equivalent to the total array power calculated on the Array page. For concentrating solar power systems, the value is equivalent to the power block's rated capacity, which is an input on the Power Block or Power Cycle, Power Cycle, or Stirling Engine page for trough, tower, or dish systems, respectively.

The nameplate capacity is the value that Solar Advisor uses to calculate cost per kilowatt values displayed on the cost pages and used for economic modeling.

Total Direct Cost ($)

The total cost of installation equipment and services, calculated on the system cost page.

Total Installed Cost ($)

The project's total capital cost, including direct and indirect costs, calculated on the system cost page.

Total Installed Cost per Capacity ($/kW)

The total installed cost divided by the system nameplate capacity, also displayed on the system cost page.

Analysis Period (years)

Number of years covered by the analysis. Typically equivalent to the project or investment life, also displayed on the Financing page.

Inflation Rate (%/year)

Annual rate of change of prices, typically based on a price index. Solar Advisor uses the inflation rate to calculate costs in the cash flows for years after year one, also displayed on the Financing page.

Real Discount Rate (%/year)

A measure of the time value of money expressed as an annual rate. Solar Advisor uses the real discount rate to calculate the present value (value in year one) of cash flows over the analysis period and to calculate annualized costs, also displayed on the Financing page.