---
title: "Simulation costs and SGU"
slug: "simulation-costs-and-sgu"
updated: 2026-08-11T11:24:32Z
published: 2026-08-11T11:24:32Z
canonical: "kb.solargis.com/simulation-costs-and-sgu"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.solargis.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Simulation costs and SGU

**In this document**

This document explains the simulation cost model for Solargis Evaluate. You will learn how simulations are priced, what SGU (Solargis units) are, and what you can purchase with them.

Simulations in Solargis Evaluate model **PV energy systems** and provide detailed insight into the expected energy production of a given system design at a given location. Simulations are paid for in **Solargis units (SGU)**, using the cost model described below.

## Simulation cost model

Following rules apply to the simulation cost in Solargis Evaluate:

- **You pay based on your largest system so far.** The cost is tied to the highest installed capacity you've simulated in a project — not to each individual simulation.
- **Capacity rounds up to the next whole MW.** A 4.1 MW system is billed as 5 MW.
- **Smaller follow-up simulations are free.** Simulating a smaller energy system afterward costs nothing extra.
- **Larger follow-up simulations cost only the difference.** If you simulate a bigger system than your current largest, you pay just the gap between the two.
- **Early and Full evaluations are tracked separately.** These rules apply independently within each evaluation level.

**Example:**

| Simulation | Capacity | Billed as | Cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1st | 4.1 MW | 5 MW | Full price for 5 MW |
| 2nd (smaller) | 3 MW | — | Free |
| 3rd (larger) | 7.2 MW | 8 MW | Price for the extra 3 MW (8 − 5) |

To learn how to simulate a PV energy system, see [Simulating energy system](/v1/docs/creating-new-projects-in-evaluate#simulating-your-energy-system), guide.

> [!TIP]
> **Note**: Simulation with TMY P50 dataset is included in the cost of project activation in both evaluation stages and therefore the charge for such simulation is 0 SGU.

## Solargis units (SGU)

The SGU, or **Solargis units**, are virtual credits that you get as part of your Evaluate subscription. The quantity of SGU you receive is determined by the pricing plan you choose. You will need SGU to:

- [activate your projects](/v1/docs/creating-new-projects-in-evaluate#activating-the-project) (automatic loading of solar, meteorological, and environmental data),
- [simulate](/v1/docs/creating-new-projects-in-evaluate#simulating-your-energy-system) your PV energy systems,
- or buy add-ons and services.

The costs for these services vary depending on the evaluation type you select when activating your project. Generally, Early evaluation project activation cost is lower compared to Full evaluation. This is mainly due to the different datasets available for each activation. The SGU cost is always displayed prior any service purchase.

For more details on Solargis Evaluate add-ons, see [Evaluate add-ons and data source updates](/v1/docs/evaluate-add-ons) article. To learn how to top up SGU, see [Solargis store](/v1/docs/solargis-store) article.

> [!TIP]
> **Note**: You can purchase additional SGU anytime during your subscription. You will be notified by email to top up if your SGU value drops to 200.

Dataset representing hourly meteorological conditions over a typical year derived from long-term climate data.