NREL's PVWatts Calculator
PVWatts is an easy to use calculator from NREL that estimates the annual energy output and levelized cost of electricity for a grid connected photovoltaic system based on system size, location, array tilt, and basic performance assumptions. It uses National Solar Radiation Database data and a simplified performance model to calculate monthly and yearly output, as well as the monetary value based on user provided utility rates. PVWatts is widely used by homeowners, installers, and policymakers to evaluate rooftop solar potential, compare system configurations, and inform incentive design. The tool is accessible online and includes API access for integration with other applications.
Citation Formats
TY - DATA
AB - PVWatts is an easy to use calculator from NREL that estimates the annual energy output and levelized cost of electricity for a grid connected photovoltaic system based on system size, location, array tilt, and basic performance assumptions. It uses National Solar Radiation Database data and a simplified performance model to calculate monthly and yearly output, as well as the monetary value based on user provided utility rates. PVWatts is widely used by homeowners, installers, and policymakers to evaluate rooftop solar potential, compare system configurations, and inform incentive design. The tool is accessible online and includes API access for integration with other applications.
AU - NLR
DB - C-MIX - Community Microgrid Information Exchange
DP - Open EI | National Laboratory of the Rockies
DO -
KW - Solar
KW - Photovoltaics
KW - PV
KW - Battery energy storage
KW - Diesel generators
KW - Other liquid-fuel generators
KW - Wind energy
KW - Case studies
KW - Performance
KW - Planning and design
KW - Planning
KW - Design
LA - English
DA - 2025/01/01
PY - 2025
PB - NLR
T1 - NREL's PVWatts Calculator
UR - https://cmix.openei.org/submissions/126
ER -
NLR. NREL's PVWatts Calculator. NLR, 1 January, 2025, C-MIX - Community Microgrid Information Exchange. https://cmix.openei.org/submissions/126.
NLR. (2025). NREL's PVWatts Calculator. [Data set]. C-MIX - Community Microgrid Information Exchange. NLR. https://cmix.openei.org/submissions/126
NLR. NREL's PVWatts Calculator. NLR, January, 1, 2025. Distributed by C-MIX - Community Microgrid Information Exchange. https://cmix.openei.org/submissions/126
@misc{CMIX_Dataset_126,
title = {NREL's PVWatts Calculator},
author = {NLR},
abstractNote = {PVWatts is an easy to use calculator from NREL that estimates the annual energy output and levelized cost of electricity for a grid connected photovoltaic system based on system size, location, array tilt, and basic performance assumptions. It uses National Solar Radiation Database data and a simplified performance model to calculate monthly and yearly output, as well as the monetary value based on user provided utility rates. PVWatts is widely used by homeowners, installers, and policymakers to evaluate rooftop solar potential, compare system configurations, and inform incentive design. The tool is accessible online and includes API access for integration with other applications.},
url = {https://cmix.openei.org/submissions/126},
year = {2025},
howpublished = {C-MIX - Community Microgrid Information Exchange, NLR, https://cmix.openei.org/submissions/126},
note = {Accessed: 2026-10-14}
}
Details
Data from Jan 1, 2025
Last updated Mar 30, 2026
Submitted Jun 2, 2026
Organization
NLR
Contact
PVWATTS
Authors
