1. What is Capacity Factor?

Capacity Factor is a measure of how much energy a power plant actually produces compared to the maximum it could produce at continuous full power operation over the same period of time. It's a key performance indicator in the energy industry.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the capacity factor formula:

Where:

• Net Generation — Actual energy produced by the plant (MWh)
• Net Capacity — Maximum possible output of the plant (MW)
• Period Hours — Duration of the measurement period (hours)

Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio of actual output to potential maximum output, expressed as a decimal that can be converted to a percentage.

3. Importance of Capacity Factor Calculation

Details: Capacity factor is crucial for evaluating power plant performance, planning maintenance schedules, comparing different energy sources, and making investment decisions in the energy sector.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter net generation in MWh, net capacity in MW, and period hours. All values must be positive numbers. The result is presented as a percentage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good capacity factor?
A: It varies by energy source. Nuclear plants typically have 90%+, coal 40-60%, wind 25-45%, and solar 15-25%.

Q2: How does capacity factor differ from efficiency?
A: Efficiency measures how well a plant converts fuel to electricity, while capacity factor measures how much it operates relative to its maximum potential.

Q3: Can capacity factor exceed 100%?
A: No, since it represents actual output divided by maximum possible output, it cannot exceed 100%.

Q4: Why is capacity factor important for renewable energy?
A: It helps compare intermittent sources (like solar and wind) with dispatchable sources (like fossil fuels and nuclear) on a consistent basis.

Q5: How is period hours determined?
A: It's typically 8760 hours for a full year calculation, but can be any period (monthly, quarterly, etc.) depending on the analysis needs.