First Solar, Inc announced the launch of its utility-scale PV project assessment application at the 2015 World Future Energy Summit (WFES) earlier this week at the Summit in Abu Dhabi, from January 19 to 22, 2015.
 

The new interactive assessment application allows developers to evaluate the feasibility and energy output of ground-mounted utility-scale projects. In what First Solar calls a "first" for the PV industry, users will be able to: plot potential sites on a mapping interface; design a plant, while adjusting configurations to maximize energy output; and generate a report that includes site-specific estimated capacity and energy yield, all while factoring in irradiation levels, average temperatures, project construction timing and more.

 

“The Energy Capacity Assessment Tool is another groundbreaking milestone in our long-standing commitment to providing our customers in Europe and globally with clean, reliable and affordable power," said Christopher Burghardt, vice president for Europe at First Solar. "The new application significantly optimizes the utility-scale PV project assessment process and grants wider access to information that was previously largely available to project engineers."

The application can be accessed online on www.firstsolar.com/energycapacity.