PVWatts

API

Calculate photovoltaic (PV) system energy production and savings

Overview

The PVWatts v6 API offers RESTful endpoints to compute energy output, performance metrics, and financial savings of photovoltaic systems. It accepts parameters like location (lat/long or address), system size, module type, tilt, azimuth, and inverter efficiency. Responses are in JSON, including monthly/annual energy production, capacity factors, CO₂ emission reductions, and cost estimates. Use cases include residential/commercial PV planning, renewable energy research, installer proposals, and policy analysis for solar adoption.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://developer.nrel.gov/docs/solar/pvwatts/v6/')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful interface
JSON response format
Location flexibility (lat/long or address)
Customizable PV system parameters
Financial savings & emission impact calculations
Global solar resource data integration

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is PVWatts free to use?

Yes, the PVWatts API is free to use, but requires a valid API key obtained via registration at the NREL Developer Portal.

? Does it require an API Key?

Yes, an API key is mandatory to access the PVWatts API. You can get one for free by signing up on developer.nrel.gov.

? What is the response format?

The API returns structured responses in JSON format, including monthly/annual energy production, capacity factors, financial savings, and CO₂ emission reductions.

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Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Environment

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Free access with API key
⊕ Accurate solar data from NREL
⊕ Detailed performance metrics
⊕ Supports residential/commercial systems
⊕ Easy-to-interpret JSON responses

Cons

⊖ Requires API key registration
⊖ Rate-limited for free users
⊖ Focused solely on PV systems
⊖ Advanced parameters need technical expertise