November 12, 2008
Economics, Europe, Siting, Technology

Capacity Factor of Wind Power: Realized Values vs. Estimates

Boccard, Nicolas

Abstract: For two decades, the capacity factor of wind power measuring the mean energy delivered by wind turbines has been assumed to be around 35% of the name plate capacity. Yet, the mean realized value for Europe over the last five years is about 21%, thus making levelized cost 66% higher than previously thought. We document this discrepancy, offer rationalizations, and conclude with the consequences for policy making.

Social Science Research Network, October 25, 2008

Download original document: “Capacity Factor of Wind Power: Realized Values vs. Estimates [1]


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/capacity-factor-of-wind-power-realized-values-vs-estimates/


URLs in this post:

[1] Capacity Factor of Wind Power: Realized Values vs. Estimates: https://docs.wind-watch.org/boccard-windpowercapacityfactorreality.pdf