ASSESSMENT
Solar yield assessment specialists
Assess how much energy a proposed or existing solar PV system may produce, using the project inputs, site information and modelling assumptions agreed for the job.
A solar yield assessment is a defined assessment service. Agree the scope, deliverables, timeline and rate directly with the talent you choose.
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- Model expected solar production
- Review the inputs and assumptions used
- Identify factors that affect energy yield
- Receive outputs that support the next project decision
WHAT YOU ARE BUYING
Scope — what this work actually is
A solar yield assessment can cover several areas. Agree which ones are included before work begins.
Resource and site inputs
Review the information used to model expected solar production, including areas such as:
- Solar resource data
- Site location
- Orientation and tilt
- Shading
- Available area
- Temperature assumptions
- System layout
- Equipment information
PV performance modelling
A PV performance modelling consultant can model how the proposed system is expected to perform using the agreed project inputs and assumptions.
System losses
Review the factors that can reduce expected output, such as:
- Shading
- Temperature
- Electrical losses
- Equipment performance
- Availability assumptions
Production estimates
The assessment can provide estimated production outputs for the agreed design, scenario or project configuration.
TIMING
When businesses use a solar yield assessment
A solar yield assessment can support several project situations.
A solar project is being evaluated
Use an assessment when you need an initial view of expected energy production before moving further into design or commercial evaluation.
The PV design needs performance modelling
A yield assessment can test the expected production of a proposed system using the available design and project inputs.
Different configurations are being compared
Model alternative layouts, equipment choices or design scenarios against the same project assumptions.
A production estimate needs supporting analysis
A solar production estimate consultant can provide the modelling and assumptions behind the expected energy yield.
You already know the system that needs detailed design
Move to the solar PV design service when the system scope is already defined and the next need is detailed design work.
OUTPUTS
Deliverables — what you get
Agree the deliverables directly with the talent. They may include:
- Solar production estimates
- Modelling assumptions
- Input data summary
- Loss assumptions
- Scenario comparisons where included
- Performance-model outputs
- Key findings and limitations
- A walkthrough of the results, if agreed
The exact outputs depend on the scope of the job.
WHO
Talents — who does this work
Choose a talent whose experience matches the system, project stage and modelling requirements.
Renewable energy consultants
Useful when the yield assessment forms part of a wider renewable energy project decision.
- Solar feasibility
- Energy-yield assessment
- Technology comparison
- Project assumptions
- Development support
Solar PV specialists
Useful when the work focuses on the proposed PV system, layout and expected production.
- PV system modelling
- Layout assumptions
- Equipment inputs
- Production estimates
- Performance analysis
Energy-system specialists
Useful when solar production needs to be considered alongside storage, grid or wider power-system requirements.
- Battery storage
- Grid connection
- Power-system interactions
- Hybrid energy systems
Battery energy storage consultants
SCOPING
How to scope the solar yield assessment
Define the decision
Explain what you need the assessment to help you understand or decide. For example:
- How much energy could the proposed system produce?
- How do two system configurations compare?
- Which assumptions affect the expected yield?
- What should be reviewed before detailed design?
Provide the starting information
Tell the talent what project information is available. This may include:
- Site location
- Drawings or layouts
- Equipment specifications
- Proposed system capacity
- Shading information
- Existing energy data
- Previous studies or models
Define the coverage
Agree what the assessment includes, such as:
- Solar resource inputs
- System configuration
- Shading
- Temperature
- Loss assumptions
- Production estimates
- Scenario comparison
- Modelling outputs
- Sensitivity analysis, if required
CHOOSING
How to compare solar yield assessment talents
Look at relevant modelling experience
Explore previous work involving solar PV systems, project types or modelling requirements similar to yours.
Discuss the modelling approach
Ask how the talent will organise the site, equipment and system information before producing the yield estimate.
Discuss assumptions
Understand which inputs will be used, which assumptions need confirmation and how uncertainties will be shown.
Review the expected deliverables
Confirm what you will receive at the end of the assessment and how the outputs will be presented.
Discuss the intended use
A solar yield assessment can support project planning and comparison.
Agree the purpose, scope and deliverables rather than assuming that one modelling output answers every later project decision.
MONEY AND TIME
Cost, timeline and engagement factors
The scope and effort can depend on:
Good to know
The solar yield assessment can be agreed separately from the detailed PV design, grid, storage or implementation work that may follow.
The talent sets their own professional rate, and the employer and talent agree the commercial terms directly.
Current VirtualMasst platform charges are listed on Pricing.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Find the right talent
Describe the site, proposed solar PV system, available design information, modelling purpose and timeline. Then explore profiles, start a conversation and choose the talent whose experience fits the assessment.
Commercial and industrial solar
Find renewable energy consultants
YOUR NEXT STEP
Find the right talent
Describe the site, proposed solar PV system, available design information, modelling purpose and timeline. Then explore profiles, start a conversation and choose the talent whose experience fits the assessment.
Post an assessment job
Find renewable energy consultants