How many households does a solar park supply?

At an average household consumption of 3,000 kWh per year, a 10 MWp plant supplies around 3,300 households on paper. A 50 MWp park corresponds to roughly 16,000 households.

Guide · Solar Park Yield

How much power does a solar park generate?

In short: A modern ground-mounted PV plant in Germany generates around 1,000 kWh per kWp per year on a long-term average (source: Fraunhofer ISE). So a 10 MWp plant delivers roughly 10 million kWh per year — on paper, enough electricity for around 3,300 households.

The formula

Annual yield [kWh] = Installed capacity [kWp] × Specific yield [kWh/kWp]

The solar park yield calculator provides a rough self-estimate.

Yield by location

Region	Specific yield	10 MWp plant (year)
Southern Germany	1,000–1,150 kWh/kWp	10.0–11.5 GWh
Central Germany	950–1,050 kWh/kWp	9.5–10.5 GWh
Northern Germany	850–1,000 kWh/kWp	8.5–10.0 GWh

Bifacial modules typically add +5–8 % yield, single-axis trackers +10–15 % — see Modules & Trackers.

Yield by plant size — examples

Plant	Annual yield (average)	Households*
5 MWp	approx. 5 GWh	~1,700
10 MWp	approx. 10 GWh	~3,300
20 MWp	approx. 20 GWh	~6,700
50 MWp	approx. 50 GWh	~16,700
100 MWp large park	approx. 100 GWh	~33,000

* at 3,000 kWh annual consumption per household (standard value).

What determines the yield

Global irradiation at the site (south more than north).
Orientation & mounting (south, east-west, tracker).
Module technology (mono-Si, bifacial, TOPCon).
Performance ratio (technical losses — shading, temperature, soiling, cabling losses).
Weather year (real ±10 % from the average).

Comparison: A modern 6 MW wind farm delivers approx. 15–20 GWh/year (see power yield of a wind turbine). A 20 MWp solar park delivers in the same order of magnitude — but with a markedly different daily and seasonal profile.

Frequently asked questions

How reliable is the forecast?

Only ±10–15 % year-to-year variation is robust; multi-year averages are very stable. A site-specific yield forecast based on local irradiation data is the foundation of any bank financing.

What happens after 20 years?

Module degradation is typically 0.5–0.8 % per year — so after 25 years, around 85 % of the initial output remains. The plant keeps delivering, sold directly on the market in post-EEG operation.

How does this relate to the land lease?

With a revenue-based lease, the lease rises with the electricity revenue. Get an advance estimate in the land lease estimator.

Solar park power yield: formula annual yield equals kWp times specific yield. Southern Germany 1000-1150, Central Germany 950-1050, Northern Germany 850-1000 kWh per kWp (Fraunhofer ISE). Examples: 10 MWp gives 10 GWh for 3300 households, 50 MWp gives 50 GWh for 16700 households, 100 MWp gives 100 GWh for 33000 households. Bifacial modules plus 5-8 percent, trackers plus 10-15 percent. Degradation 0.5-0.8 percent per year

Solar park power yield – Regional yields, plant sizes and technology boosters

Planning a ground-mounted solar project? We connect operators and project developers with specialist engineering firms for yield assessments, permitting and grid connection. Get in touch.