Solar PV Generation Estimation - PVGIS-4

The EU, through the European Commission, operate a science and knowledge service called the 'Joint Research Centre' (JRC) which has a brief to research & provide independent evidence to support EU policies.

Hidden amongst plenty of graphical information is a particularly useful multilingual 'free to use' online tool, widely known as 'PVGIS-4', which is extensively used to provide location and orientation specific monthly & annual estimates of electricity generation (kWh) for any given sized stand-alone (off-grid) or grid connected PV systems. In addition to Europe, the system also currently provides details for Africa and Asia.

PVGIS-4 Usage Example

1. Data Entry

Here we have an example representing the PVGIS-4 tool being used to estimate generation for a 4kWp system to be located on a roof with a 35° slop which is facing SW (270° True / 45° Azimuth) which is located in Meriden, UK.

( Clicking the image above links to the JRC PVGIS generation estimation tool )

2. Output.

When the location & relevant information has been entered as per the example above, simply clicking 'Calculate' pulls up an energy generation estimate which will look similar to the example provided here.

Many owners of solar pv monitor their own system's monthly and annual performance, effectively using these figures as a 'target' based on averaged expectations.

For the variables entered for the system based in Meriden as per the example screen, the total annual estimate for generation would be 3560kWh, which averages to 9.75kWh/day. Each month also has an estimated total, in this example 460kWh of electricity is expected to be generated in June, averaging 15.3kWh/day June's, which when compared to 101kWh in December (3.24kWh/day) provides an indication of the particularly wide seasonal variability of generation which is applicable to UK.