Engineering
Indicative Solar Energy Yield Screening
Build an early-stage solar yield estimate with transparent resource, geometry, loss and uncertainty assumptions.
Why this workflow matters
A screening yield gives a comparable resource signal before detailed design. Its value comes from consistency and transparency: dataset, period, mounting assumptions and losses should be visible beside the result.
Questions to answer
- Which irradiation dataset and time period are used?
- What tilt, azimuth and mounting system are assumed?
- Which losses are included?
- What uncertainty is appropriate at this stage?
Recommended workflow
- 1Select a representative project coordinate and resource source.
- 2Set preliminary geometry and system-loss assumptions.
- 3Calculate specific yield and a simple annual energy range.
- 4Compare alternatives and define the scope for a bankable assessment.
Evidence to collect
- ✓ PVGIS or equivalent resource output
- ✓ Technology and geometry assumptions
- ✓ Loss breakdown
- ✓ Interannual variability context
Decision-ready outputs
- → Indicative kWh/kWp/year
- → Assumption and loss table
- → Sensitivity range for early decisions
Market application
- Portugal, Spain, Italy and Germany apply different national, regional and municipal planning controls; EU-wide layers are an initial evidence layer only.
- Grid feasibility must be checked through the relevant transmission or distribution system operator, including queue, capacity, studies and connection route.
- Cadastral boundaries, land rights, local setbacks and permit status require current national or competent-authority evidence.
Worked example
Fictional specific-yield bridge
- Basis
- An illustrative 25 MWp DC envelope is multiplied by 1,600 kWh/kWp/year from a centroid screening result.
- Screening response
- The arithmetic result is 40 GWh/year before project-specific geometry, clipping, availability, curtailment, degradation and uncertainty are modelled.
- Limitation
- This is not P50 or P90 and must not be used as a bankable production forecast.
Authoritative starting points
Use these primary sources to begin verification, then obtain the current competent-authority evidence for the project market.
- European Commission JRC — PVGIS ↗
Solar-resource and indicative PV performance context
Review status: SolarDev AI internal methodology review; independent technical review not yet published.