What 8,760 hours of data add to a PV production assessment
A time series covering 8,760 hours describes the estimated production for every hour of a non-leap year. It shows daily and seasonal variations, as well as the effect of the horizon profile on production.
For a self-consumption project, comparing production with the consumption profile helps estimate how much energy is used on site and how much surplus is exported to the grid. These results inform the assumptions about savings and electricity sales in the assessment.
The reviewer can examine the detailed results behind the report’s totals and relate them to the project scenario being assessed.
Share production data together with the underlying assumptions
To interpret a PV estimate, the reviewer needs to know the system configuration and the source of the data. Presenting results alongside their assumptions makes the calculation easier to understand.
| Information to provide | What it helps the reviewer assess |
|---|---|
| Estimated production | Annual and monthly totals, together with the hourly production profile. |
| Location and system configuration | The site, PV capacity, orientation and tilt used in the calculation. |
| Horizon profile | The obstacles taken into account and the difference in estimated production with and without the profile. |
| Weather data | The data source and years used to estimate solar radiation and production. |
| Consumption and battery storage, where assessed | The consumption profile, energy prices and storage parameters behind the economic results. |
The report presents the assessment results. The hourly time series supports a detailed review, while the calculation parameters explain the basis of those results.
How Azimutis helps document the project
In Azimutis, the horizon profile survey and project parameters provide the inputs for the PV assessment. Results include estimated production with and without the horizon profile and, depending on the configuration, self-consumption and battery simulation.
The PV PDF report brings together the assumptions and results selected for presentation. The hourly export available in the Azimutis web portal contains CSV time series, a monthly summary and a file describing the parameters and method.
Production data is included in the export. Weather, self-consumption and battery data can be added, depending on the selected options and assessment settings. These files can accompany the report when the reviewer needs the detailed calculations.
A sample export
Calculated export for a 9 kWp demonstration project in Lyon, using a fictional horizon profile. The archive contains hourly data for 2021–2023, the monthly summary and the parameters. It does not represent a customer installation.
The technical method is documented in English and French.
Download the sample (ZIP, 2.06 MB)Is an hourly export enough to secure financing?
Whether the data is sufficient depends on the documents and checks required for the project. An Azimutis hourly export can support the review of the production assessment. Confirm the expected documentation with the lender or its technical adviser.
Technical due diligence can also cover equipment, contracts and project risks. The export does not replace independent expertise when it is required, nor does it constitute financing approval.
Two points to clarify about the data
Is this data measured at the installation?
No. Production and weather data are based on PVGIS calculations. Consumption depends on the profile saved in the assessment, and battery flows are simulated. These results are estimates for the project being assessed.
Does the file always contain exactly 8,760 rows?
No. Azimutis can export up to three separate weather years, each with 8,760 simulation time slots. The sample covers 26,280 rows. For leap years, source rows for 29 February are retained, with the simulation fields left empty.
The hourly export guide explains the timestamp conventions and file format.