Capacity Factor Calculator — 公式
## Power Plant Capacity Factor
The capacity factor measures how much energy a plant actually produces compared to its theoretical maximum if it ran at full power continuously.
### Formula
**Capacity Factor = Actual Output / (Rated Capacity x Hours) x 100%**
Typical capacity factors: Nuclear 90-93%, Natural gas 40-60%, Wind onshore 25-45%, Solar PV 15-30%. Higher factors mean better utilization of installed capacity.
The capacity factor measures how much energy a plant actually produces compared to its theoretical maximum if it ran at full power continuously.
### Formula
**Capacity Factor = Actual Output / (Rated Capacity x Hours) x 100%**
Typical capacity factors: Nuclear 90-93%, Natural gas 40-60%, Wind onshore 25-45%, Solar PV 15-30%. Higher factors mean better utilization of installed capacity.
计算示例
A 2 MW wind turbine produces 2,500 MWh in one year (8,760 hours).
- Maximum output = 2 MW x 8,760 hr = 17,520 MWh
- Capacity factor = 2,500 / 17,520 x 100 = 14.3%
- Unused capacity = 17,520 - 2,500 = 15,020 MWh