Estimate solar farm budgets from capacity inputs. Add land, equipment, labor, grid, and incentive assumptions. See cost metrics before funding, procurement, and deployment decisions.
| Scenario | AC Size | Gross CAPEX | Net CAPEX | Annual Energy | LCOE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small utility project | 20 MWac | $19,850,000 | $13,895,000 | 36,168 MWh | $46.70/MWh |
| Mid-size regional plant | 50 MWac | $46,930,000 | $32,851,000 | 90,420 MWh | $40.95/MWh |
| Large utility-scale build | 100 MWac | $90,400,000 | $63,280,000 | 180,840 MWh | $37.10/MWh |
These sample values are illustrative. Actual project budgets vary by market, design, labor rates, financing terms, grid upgrades, and local incentives.
1. DC plant size
DC Size (MWdc) = AC Size (MWac) × DC/AC Ratio
2. Module count
Module Count = DC Watts ÷ Module Power
3. Equipment subtotal
Equipment = Module Cost + Inverter Cost + BOS Cost + Installation Cost + Tracker Cost
4. Land requirement
Land Area = AC Size × Acres per MWac
5. Pre-contingency CAPEX
Pre-Contingency CAPEX = Equipment + Land Purchase + Interconnection + Permitting + Engineering
6. Gross CAPEX
Gross CAPEX = Pre-Contingency CAPEX + (Pre-Contingency CAPEX × Contingency %)
7. Net CAPEX
Net CAPEX = Gross CAPEX − (Gross CAPEX × Incentive %)
8. Annual energy
Annual MWh = AC Size × 8760 × Capacity Factor × (1 − System Losses)
9. Annual operating cost
Annual Operating = O&M + Insurance + Land Lease + Admin Cost
10. Capital recovery factor
CRF = r(1+r)n ÷ ((1+r)n − 1)
11. Annualized CAPEX
Annualized CAPEX = Net CAPEX × CRF
12. LCOE
LCOE = (Annualized CAPEX + Annual Operating Cost) ÷ Annual Energy
It estimates gross capital cost, net capital cost after incentives, annual operating cost, energy output, LCOE, revenue, and simple payback for a solar farm scenario.
Yes. It combines one-time build costs with yearly expenses such as O&M, insurance, land lease, and administration to give a broader project view.
The ratio affects DC module capacity, equipment quantities, and energy economics. A higher ratio can increase production, but it also changes cost structure and clipping behavior.
LCOE is the levelized cost of energy. It spreads annualized capital and annual operating costs across expected yearly energy production to show cost per MWh.
Yes. It is useful for conceptual budgeting, site comparisons, and investor discussions. Final engineering, procurement, grid studies, and financing terms still require detailed analysis.
It uses a discount rate and project life through the capital recovery factor. That helps with annualization, but it does not replace a full debt and tax equity model.
Use site-specific solar resource studies, layout assumptions, degradation estimates, clipping expectations, soiling, temperature losses, and inverter performance data for more realistic values.
Yes. They capture the current result set, making it easier to review options with clients, partners, lenders, or internal project teams.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.