Understanding the 8760 Report: A Comprehensive Guide
- Yoann Hispa
- Jan 2
- 6 min read
In today’s dynamic energy landscape, accurate analysis and strategic planning are essential for success in the renewable energy sector. An 8760 report provides a rich cache of detailed information that developers can use to gain an edge with their solar endeavors. In this article, we provide a guide to 8760 reports for solar development and explore the significance, generation process, interpretation, and applications of an 8760 report, as well as the best practices for their use.
What is an 8760 Report?
An 8760 report refers to the examination and analysis of energy generation (or load) for every hour across a span of 12 months. In the case of energy generation, the model simulates the output for all 8,760 hours within the specified time frame. In the context of a solar project, an 8760 report provides a detailed analysis of energy generation and offers insights into the expected solar power output throughout the year, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the project's performance.
Using solar irradiance data, panel efficiency calculations, and weather variations, an 8,760 report provides the granularity needed for interconnection studies, energy storage modeling, revenue forecasting (especially with TOU pricing), and PPA and merchant risk analysis.
The 8760 Equation
An 8760 solar report is based on the 8,760 hours in a year (24 × 365) and models how a solar project would perform hour-by-hour for an entire year on a specific property. The baseline equation for the report is:
24 hours/ day x 365 days/year = 8,760 hours/ year
The core hourly energy equation for each hour (h) is:
Eh =Ph x 1 hour
Where:
Eh = energy produced in hour (kWh)
Ph = AC power output during that hour (kW)
How an 8760 Report is Calculated
An 8760 report breaks solar performance down to the most granular level possible: every hour of the year. Instead of relying on annual averages, it models how a solar project is expected to perform hour by hour using site-specific weather data, system design assumptions, and real-world loss factors.
Key Data Needed for an 8760 Report
To generate an accurate 8760 report, whether for solar production, building loads, or grid emissions, you need a specific cocktail of data.
Category | Specific Input Data | Purpose |
Location & Climate | TMY3 or AMY weather files (GHI, DNI, DHI, wind speed, temp) | Defines the environmental "stress" or fuel (sun/wind) available per hour. |
Site Logistics | Latitude, Longitude, and Time Zone | Coordinates the solar position and aligns data with the local grid clock. |
Facility Profile | Hourly Load Profile (kW) | The "demand" side; shows when the building actually uses energy. |
System Specs | Equipment capacity, efficiency curves, and degradation rates | Defines how much energy the hardware can process or generate. |
Orientation | Azimuth (heading) and Tilt angle | Crucial for solar; determines the "harvest" timing throughout the day. |
Shading/Losses | Near-shading objects, soiling, and wiring losses | Accounts for real-world inefficiencies that reduce theoretical output. |
Utility/Rate Info | TOU (Time-of-Use) schedules and Demand Charge structures | Maps the energy units (kWh) to financial value ($). |
Steps for Calculating an 8760 Report
Here's how an 8760 report is calculated:
Hourly Resource Data: The 8,760 model starts with historical, site-specific weather data, usually pulled from sources like:
Typical Meteorological Year (TMY)
Satellite + ground-station irradiance data
Includes irradiance (GHI, DNI, DHI), temperature, cloud cover, wind speed
System Design Assumptions: The report applies standardized assumptions about the solar project itself, including:
DC system size (MWdc)
AC inverter capacity (MWac)
DC:AC ratio
Module and inverter type and efficiency
Array orientation (tilt & azimuth)
Tracking vs fixed-tilt
Row spacing / shading assumptions
Hour-by-Hour Energy Modeling: To produce hourly AC generation values (kWh) for each of the 8,760 hours, the model calculates:
Available solar energy hitting the panels
Temperature-adjusted module output
Losses (soiling, wiring, mismatch, degradation, clipping, curtailment, etc.)
Inverter conversion to AC power
Loss Factors Applied: Loss assumptions are critical because small changes can materially impact project economics. Typical losses baked into an 8760 include:
Soiling
Shading (and snow, if applicable)
Wiring & transformer losses
Inverter efficiency
Availability & downtime
Final Output: The result is a table with:
8,760 hourly production values
Annual energy (MWh)
Capacity factor
Peak output hours
Seasonal and diurnal production patterns
The result of an 8760 report is a detailed dataset showing a solar system’s expected energy production for every hour of the year. It provides hourly AC output, total annual energy, capacity factor, and production trends across daily and seasonal cycles. LandGate provides comprehensive tools for solar developers allowing them to model full-scale projects instantly, including 8760 reports.
How are 8760 Reports Used for Solar Development?
8760 reports are a key tool in solar development, providing detailed hourly insights into a project’s energy production throughout the year. Developers, investors, and utilities use these reports to optimize system design, evaluate financial and environmental impacts, plan for grid integration, track performance, and support renewable energy certifications.
Optimization Opportunities: By examining the solar generation patterns throughout the year, the report helps identify optimization opportunities. It provides insights into peak production periods, variations due to weather conditions, and potential areas for system improvement or adjustments.
Financial Analysis: The report supports financial analysis by estimating annual energy output, helping calculate revenue potential, assess project viability, and attract investors.
Environmental Impact Assessment: The reports help estimate annual energy and associated greenhouse gas reductions, supporting sustainability reporting and regulatory compliance.
System Design and Sizing: An 8760 solar generation report is valuable in determining the appropriate system design and sizing. It shows the expected annual energy production for a specific location, helping you optimize system design and properly size the solar plant, including panels, inverters, and other equipment needed to meet your energy goals.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): An 8760 report helps quantify a solar plant’s renewable energy generation, essential for claiming and trading RECs to meet renewable targets or offset emissions.
Grid Integration and Planning:Â For utility-scale projects, an 8760 report shows hourly and seasonal production patterns, helping utilities manage grid integration, stability, and storage or backup planning.
Performance Monitoring: Once a solar farm is operational, an 8760 report acts as a performance benchmark, allowing you to compare actual production to predicted output, identify issues, and optimize system performance.
P50 and P90 Estimates: An 8760 report provides the detailed hourly production data that forms the basis for P50 and P90 estimates. By modeling variability in weather and system performance across the year, analysts use the 8760 dataset to calculate the probability that a solar project will meet or exceed certain energy outputs- P50 represents the median expected production, while P90 reflects a conservative, 90% confidence level.
Who Uses an 8760 Report?
During the development of a utility-scale solar farm, an 8760 solar generation report is typically provided to various stakeholders involved in the project. These stakeholders include project developers, energy consultants and engineers, utility companies, regulatory authorities, and insurance providers.
1) Project Developers: Feasibility Assessment
Project developers use 8760 reports to assess the feasibility and viability of the project and make informed decisions during the development process. Investors interested in funding the solar farm project often require detailed information about its expected energy generation. The 8760 solar generation report provides them with crucial data to evaluate the financial viability of the project and assess the potential return on investment.
2) Energy Consultants & Engineers: System Sizing
Consultants and engineers involved in the project utilize the 8760 solar generation report to conduct technical assessments, evaluate system performance, and optimize the design of the solar farm. The report helps them understand the expected solar energy output throughout the year and plan the system accordingly.
3) Utility Companies: Solar Energy Integration
Utility companies, which will purchase the electricity generated by the solar farm, may request the 8760 solar generation report to assess the reliability, capacity, and dispatch-ability of the solar power plant. This information is crucial for utility companies to integrate the solar energy into their grid and manage the overall power supply.
4) Regulatory Authorities: Approval and Permitting
Regulatory bodies or government agencies responsible for overseeing and permitting energy projects may require the solar generation report as part of the approval process. The report provides essential information on the expected energy output, helping regulators assess compliance with renewable energy targets and environmental standards.
5) Insurance Providers: Risk Assessment
Insurance companies may require the solar generation report to evaluate the risk associated with insuring the solar farm. The report provides them with data on the expected energy generation, allowing them to assess potential revenue losses and determine appropriate coverage.
How to Get an 8760 Report for a Solar Farm
The easiest way to get an 8760 report for a solar farm is through automated solar generation modeling software, like LandGate. Here's how you can get an 8760 report using LandGate's tools:
1: Login in to LandGate
2: Open a portfolio in the Parcel Data tool
3: Click 'Run Analysis'
4: Start a new Solar Analysis Project
5: Navigate to the Analysis tool
6: Click 'Run Economics'
7: Navigate to the 'Risks and Lending' Tab
8: Click on the '8760' subtab
9: View or Export the 8760 Report
As the renewable energy industry continues to grow, the ability to generate accurate and detailed reports such as the 8760 report becomes increasingly crucial. By utilizing the insights derived from these reports, energy planners, facility managers, and renewable energy project developers can make informed decisions, optimize energy usage, and pave the way for a sustainable and efficient energy future.
Want to discuss the use of 8760 reports with LandGate's team, or learn how to use tour platform for your business? Learn more and book a free demo:
