wind
Capacity factor
Ratio of actual energy generated over a period to the maximum possible at nameplate capacity, expressed as a percentage.
Capacity factor is the fraction of nameplate capacity a generator actually delivers over a period. Onshore wind 2026 global average: 35–45%; offshore wind: 45–55% (better wind resource). Utility solar PV: 18–28% (no nighttime). Combined-cycle gas: 50–60%. Nuclear: 90%+. Capacity factor is the single most useful number for comparing intermittent vs. dispatchable generation economics.
Related terms
- LCOE — Per-unit cost of electricity that recovers all lifetime costs of a project — the…