Solar Curtailment Loss Calculator — Estimate PV Energy You Cannot Use
Estimate annual solar energy that may be curtailed when on-site demand, export capacity and storage cannot absorb all available PV generation.
Curtailment scenario
What solar curtailment means
Solar curtailment occurs when available PV generation is intentionally or necessarily prevented from becoming useful output. The reason can vary: the site may not need the power, the grid may not accept additional export, storage may be full or charging-limited, or another system limit may be reached.
Why curtailment differs from clipping
Inverter clipping is specifically associated with the inverter's conversion ceiling. Curtailment is a broader operating constraint and can occur even when the inverter could technically convert the available DC power.
What this tool isolates
The calculator starts with available solar energy, subtracts the energy that can be absorbed directly, exported or accepted by storage, then applies a curtailment-exposure factor to the remaining surplus.
Decision support: what could reduce curtailment?
The recovery scenario lets you model an additional amount of usable absorption. This can represent a planning case such as increased on-site demand, additional export capacity or extra storage acceptance, without assuming which investment will provide it.
Frequently asked questions
Can curtailment be negative?
No. Any unused absorption capacity is simply treated as zero curtailed energy.
Does storage acceptance equal useful delivered energy?
No. Stored energy can experience conversion and battery losses. The storage efficiency input is shown separately for context.
Does this replace an hourly dispatch model?
No. Detailed curtailment forecasting normally needs time-series generation, demand, export limits and storage behavior.