Accurate energy assessments are the key to realistic expectations for project performance and have significant impact on project finance. With over 60,000 MW of wind and solar projects under our belt, AWS Truepower prides itself on being transparent – using calibrated energy assessment methods that have been validated against operational data. The foundation of our energy assessments includes high-resolution models, smart resource assessment campaign design, and rigorous measure-correlate-predict (MCP) analyses.
Accurate energy assessments start with a rigorous analysis of the solar resource at a project site. AWS Truepower (AWST) provides bankable long-term energy production statistics and probabilities for proposed solar plants. Evaluation of solar energy production can vary in complexity and is based on a range of variables used to determine performance under operating conditions. Considerations include the use of solar resource and site characterization, computer simulation models, system specifications, power plant losses, and any uncertainties associated with these factors.
Using available meteorological data, AWST models the electrical output and accounts for solar plant-specific loss factors and uncertainties. Energy production values are presented as gross and net amounts for different time scales (annual, monthly, and diurnal) and include appropriate degradation rates in annual system output; results include net energy, capacity factor, and performance ratios. Detailed uncertainty analyses offer production predictions for several confidence levels, and the methodologies and final results are presented in energy production reports.
Thorough and field-proven, our energy production and uncertainty analysis services are trusted by developers and investors alike as true estimates of a project’s potential.