SO;AR

New SEI Podcast Episode: The Importance of Understanding Solar Energy Production Calculators! Listen here: https://soundcloud.com/solar-energy-training/sei-podcast-episode-the-importance-of-understanding-solar-energy-production-calculators

Want to learn more? Check out SEI's new continuing education course CE524: PVSYST FOR PV SYSTEM PRODUCTION MODELING - Enroll here: https://www.solarenergy.org/courses/pvsyst-for-pv-system-production-modeling/

In the world of data and systems management there is a common phrase, “garbage in / garbage out”. Basically what that is saying is if the data being put into a system is inaccurate or garbage, that is exactly what you are going to get as an output - garbage.

As the solar industry grows and project developers, EPCs, and financiers want to see accurate energy production models during the feasibility study stage of any potential solar project, it is crucial for solar professionals to understand the software tools and calculators used during the energy production estimation stage of any project.

When people first get into the solar industry the first software platform that many of us dive into is NREL's PVWatts® Calculator. NREL's PVWatts® Calculator estimates the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world. It allows homeowners, small building owners, installers and manufacturers to easily develop estimates of the performance of potential PV installations. It is a great tool to get your feet wet on basic PV system performance estimates, but when you get into projects where detailed reports and accurate accounting of all the factors that go into system performance, you are going to want to graduate up to software platforms like PVsyst.