Glossary of terms used in Azimutis
Measurement and orientation
Section titled “Measurement and orientation”Azimuth: horizontal direction in degrees measured from north. East = 90°, south = 180°, west = 270°.
Elevation: angle above the horizon, in degrees; 0° is the horizon.
Shading profile: profile of obstacles that may block the sun as seen from the measurement position.
Tilt: angle of a surface or module relative to horizontal.
Horizon profile: sequence of elevation measurements at different azimuths.
Photovoltaics and energy
Section titled “Photovoltaics and energy”Wp / kWp: reference rated capacity of a PV module or system.
W / kW: instantaneous power. A value in kW is not an amount of energy.
Wh / kWh: amount of energy produced or consumed.
kWh/kWp/year: annual specific yield relative to installed capacity.
Irradiation (kWh/m²): solar energy received by a surface over a period.
Solar access: proportion of irradiation available after accounting for the horizon profile, according to the model.
Performance Ratio (PR): overall performance indicator that accounts for modeled PV system losses.
Module layout: proposed arrangement of modules on a surface, accounting for dimensions, setbacks and obstacles.
Consumption and economics
Section titled “Consumption and economics”Self-consumption: share of the PV electricity produced that is used on site.
Self-sufficiency: share of electricity demand covered by PV production, directly or through storage as applicable.
Exported surplus: energy not consumed on site and supplied to the grid.
Usable battery capacity (kWh): amount of energy available for use under the selected configuration.
IRR: internal rate of return calculated from the project’s cash flows.
Project payback: the first year in which cumulative cash flow becomes positive and remains at or above zero until the end of the projection. A later replacement cost can delay this point.
P50 / P90: statistical production indicators used in risk analysis when an uncertainty model is available; they are different from nominal annual production.
Environment
Section titled “Environment”Embodied energy: energy required to manufacture and install the equipment under the chosen estimation method.
EROI: ratio of energy produced to energy invested in the system.
Avoided CO₂ emissions: estimated emissions avoided using the reference factor selected by the model.