Yearly and monthly charts

The yearly and monthly charts summarise your project's data at the longest time scales, showing long-term averages, year-to-year variability, and month-by-month behaviour. They are the starting point for understanding the solar resource and climate at your site before looking at shorter time steps.

For the other chart groups and an introduction to the Analysis section, see How to read the charts.

Monthly statistics

Charts of this type represent monthly averages with minimum and maximum values for each month.

The monthly average represents the average value per month in the given month in all years from the time series.

Minimum and maximum depict the minimum and maximum values reached in the given month throughout the time series.

Info: If the modules used in the project are bifacial, the system will show rear side values as well.

How to use it

This chart can be used to estimate the system's minimal/maximal possible production (min/max values) for every month in the time range. Additionally, the differences between the minimal and maximal values show the potential fluctuation of the conditions in the area.

For bifacial systems, the LTA front side is represented in green color, and the LTA rear side is represented in orange color in the graph.

For example, during winter, solar irradiation is low. Still, the values do not differ massively and are regularly closer to the average, while in summer, the differences are more significant, and the system can experience high peaks as well as very low-production periods. In another example, you may note the temperature peaks at the location to ensure the devices such as inverters will withstand such extremes.

Interannual variability of monthly summaries/averages

These charts represent summaries (Solar resources) or averages (Climate) of the given parameter, respectively, during the time period defined by the resource data. The charts display monthly values per year.

This chart's visualization for PREC (precipitation) and SDWE (accumulation of snow depth) differs. It is presented as a line chart, which better represents the accumulation effect.

How to use it

This chart can help you identify the years with the best/worst conditions for energy production and how much that deviated from the long-term average (red line). Identifying a year may help you investigate what caused such an extreme and prepare for such a scenario accordingly.

Additionally, it visualizes the yearly fluctuation between minimal and maximal values for every month in the time series.

In the case of precipitation and accumulation of snow, you can see every year's values separately to better understand trends and examine the years with the highest deviation from the average. This can help in estimating potential soiling losses, designing appropriate structural supports for snow loads, and planning maintenance schedules that ensure optimal performance and longevity of the solar panels.

Yearly Time Series

This chart represents yearly averages, standard deviation, and mean value of the selected parameter.

The mean value represents the average over the whole time series, serving as a central reference point when assessing parameter values.

The standard deviation represents average deviation from the mean, providing insight into variability or consistency over time series.

How to use it

This chart clearly shows differences from mean value year by year. The variability shows you what differences you can expect and calculate when designing your energy system.

Especially in case of temperature, you can quickly spot which years had lowest/highest extremities and what those values were.

The knowledge of standard deviation provides insights into variability and consistency of solar energy production, enabling more accurate predictions of energy yield.

Monthly Time Series

This chart represents parameter's monthly summaries throughout whole time series.

How to use it

This chart provides valuable insights into seasonal and long-term variations in solar radiation, temperature, and other climatic factors, aiding in PV system design by allowing for the optimization of panel orientation, sizing of the system to match energy demand patterns, and enhancing the accuracy of energy yield predictions and financial models.

Monthly and yearly summaries/averages table

The Monthly and yearly summaries/averages table visually represent the monthly values for each year in the range. The table cells are visualized as a heatmap to see the differences. This can be used as a reference to quickly spot the months with the highest/lowest rates.

1. Summary for the given month in the given year.

2. Summary for the whole year.

3. LTA (long-term average) value for the given month.

How to use it

This histogram table provides a quick visual assessment of the most productive months and seasonal differences and helps estimate the highest/lowest energy yield periods. Additionally, it can help you determine the best time of the year for planned maintenance or show you when the system can work under more optimal conditions due to lower temperatures despite lower solar irradiance.