Data / Historical Solar Capacity Factors

Hourly solar PV capacity factors derived from ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis: global, 1940 to present, at hourly resolution, refreshed every three months.

License: CC BY 4.0

Illustrative surface solar irradiance over a representative period. Source: ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF) via Earthmover.

Overview

Hourly solar PV capacity factors on a global grid, derived from ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis. The series runs from 1940 to the present at hourly resolution and is refreshed every three months, giving a long, internally consistent baseline for capacity-expansion and dispatch models.

Full grid specification, conversion methodology and download formats are coming soon.