ASTM e2848-13 Made Simple

ASTM e2848-13 is a protocol for establishing the capacity of a solar power plant. It is typically utilized as Step 2 of a comprehensive methodology. ASTM 2939 is generally step 1, (though in some cases, baselines are established via contractual agreement instead of analysis).

ASTM e2848 provides a method for assessing the plan't’s actual output, accounting for weather conditions. This is compared to the plant’s expected output given it’s design. The expected output and reporting conditions are effectively provided by ASTM 2939.

The basic process uses weather data and output data to determine if the plant is operating efficiently given the weather conditions. To do so, the protocol employs a multivariate data regression model, and compares the plant’s actual performance over a period of real conditions (exported from a monitoring system like Also Energy), to its expected performance (based on a mix of requirements defined in contracts and contained within ASTM e2848).

You can check out a step-by-step process for pairing both protocols here.