Defined term
Photovoltaic shading loss
Photovoltaic shading loss is the reduction in modeled or measured photovoltaic output associated with solar radiation blocked from modules by surrounding objects or terrain.
Also known as solar shading loss
measurement · Concept code GS-CONCEPT-034 · Last verified August 20, 2026
Evidence through 2014-09-01 · 0 sources have no source-event date
Content modified 2026-08-20
Definition and boundaries
Definition
Photovoltaic shading loss is the reduction in modeled or measured photovoltaic output associated with solar radiation blocked from modules by surrounding objects or terrain.
Definition claim verification: Verified August 20, 2026
In plain language
When comparing Photovoltaic shading loss, keep the unit, time period, measurement boundary, and underlying assumptions the same on both sides.
What it is not
It is not every system loss and it should not be inferred from annual shade-free hours alone.
Decision context
Why it matters
The loss varies by time, geometry, electrical layout, module-level behavior, vegetation, and modeling method, so a default loss is not a site survey.
Decision-context claim verification: Verified August 20, 2026
Information boundary
This page provides general educational context, not a site design, production guarantee, utility determination, contract interpretation, legal opinion, tax conclusion, or individualized financial advice. Verify property, equipment, utility, jurisdiction, program, and agreement details before acting.
Selector-derived public graph
Learning navigation
Primary topic: Performance
Broader topic
No public concepts recorded.
More specific topics
No public concepts recorded.
Related topics
No public concepts recorded.
Learn first
No public concepts recorded.
Builds toward
No public concepts recorded.
Primary sources
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory: PVWatts Version 5 Manual
Revision NREL/TP-6A20-62641 · Source event as of September 1, 2014 · Ontology accessed August 20, 2026 · Ontology verified August 20, 2026