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Capacity factor — Energy Glossary | Pilot Energy

Written by Pilot Energy | May 26, 2026 4:21:36 PM

Capacity factor

Category: Clean Energy

The ratio of actual output over a period to the maximum possible output if the asset ran continuously at full capacity. A wind farm with a 35% capacity factor produces 35% of its theoretical maximum. Utility-scale solar typically runs 20–30%; combined-cycle gas 50–70%.

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