More than 4,300 Fort Collins Utilities residential and commercial customers are generating power using solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Utilities partnered with Colorado State University to create a model that shows how much total power grid-connected PV systems are generating throughout the day. The model also includes power added to the grid by the Riverside Community Solar site and the Solar Power Purchase Program, which are both managed by Utilities.
The real-time values shown below are updated throughout the day and represent estimates using computer models, not actual measurements for all systems. During times of snow and shading, more simplified assumptions are applied to estimate reduced output associated with these factors.
Note: shading effects are estimated assuming that a portion of the generation for residential PV systems is lost when the angle of the sun (above the horizon) is lower than an estimated angle for shade height (trees). When the sun rises above the shade angle, the solar generation “jumps up” to a higher level – and later “jumps down” again when the sun angle drops below the shade angle