About
Solcast is a specialized data intelligence platform purpose-built for the renewable energy industry, providing high-resolution, bankable solar irradiance, wind, and weather data through a powerful API and web platform. Covering historical time series from 2007, typical meteorological year (TMY) datasets, live 5-minute updates, and forecasts up to 14 days ahead, Solcast serves the entire lifecycle of renewable energy projects—from initial feasibility to day-to-day operational management. The platform's AI-driven power forecasting models cover solar PV assets of all sizes, onshore and offshore wind, and aggregated portfolios, markets, and utility grids. Solcast also offers DNV Green Data Products including the Solar Resource Compass for bankable site prospecting and SolarFarmer for detailed PV energy yield modeling. With 26 million API calls processed daily at resolutions ranging from 90 meters to 2 km worldwide, Solcast is trusted by over 600 companies—including utilities, IPPs, developers, and energy traders—to optimize dispatch, streamline operations, and manage renewable grid assets. Its data is globally validated and bankable, making it suitable for both internal analytics and third-party due diligence. A free-to-try tier lowers the barrier to entry, while enterprise plans unlock full resolution, higher call volumes, and premium models.
Key Features
- Historical & TMY Irradiance Data: Access global solar irradiance and weather time series from 2007 to present, plus Typical Meteorological Year datasets for resource assessment and bankable energy yield studies.
- Live & Forecast Data: Receive real-time weather and irradiance updates every 5 minutes and solar/wind forecasts up to 14 days ahead, enabling accurate dispatch optimization and operations management.
- AI-Powered Power Forecasting Models: Advanced machine-learning models for solar PV, onshore/offshore wind, and aggregated portfolios, markets, and utility-scale grids built on decades of DNV expertise.
- High-Resolution Global Coverage: Data available at resolutions from 90 meters to 2 km worldwide, with 26 million API calls processed daily, ensuring granular and reliable insights at any scale.
- DNV Bankable Data Products: Includes Solar Resource Compass for site prospecting and SolarFarmer for bankable PV energy modeling—both built to DNV standards for lender and investor acceptance.
Use Cases
- Solar developers and investors conducting bankable resource assessments and feasibility studies for new PV projects using historical irradiance and TMY data.
- Grid operators and utilities managing real-time and forecasted renewable generation to optimize dispatch scheduling and balance supply with demand.
- Energy traders and portfolio managers modeling aggregated solar and wind asset performance across large geographic regions for market participation.
- Operations and maintenance teams monitoring live solar production against expected output to detect underperformance and reduce operational losses.
- Software developers and energy tech companies embedding high-resolution solar and wind data into applications, dashboards, and forecasting tools via the Solcast API.
Pros
- Bankable & Globally Validated: Data built on DNV best practice is accepted by lenders, investors, and auditors, making it suitable for financial due diligence and project financing.
- Comprehensive API & SDK: Easy integration via a well-documented REST API and SDK allows developers to embed solar and wind data into any application or workflow in minutes.
- End-to-End Renewable Coverage: Supports the entire project lifecycle—from resource assessment and feasibility through to operational forecasting and grid management—under one platform.
- Free to Try: A no-cost entry tier lets teams evaluate data quality and API integration before committing to a paid plan, reducing procurement risk.
Cons
- Niche Industry Focus: Solcast is purpose-built for renewables, meaning its value is limited to solar, wind, and energy professionals—it is not a general-purpose weather data service.
- Full Resolution Requires Paid Plans: The highest spatial and temporal resolutions, larger call volumes, and advanced forecasting models are gated behind premium pricing tiers.
- Technical Expertise Needed: Getting the most out of Solcast's API, power models, and bankable datasets requires familiarity with energy engineering and data integration concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of data does Solcast provide?
Solcast provides solar irradiance, wind speed/direction, and weather data in four formats: historical time series (2007 onwards), Typical Meteorological Year (TMY), live data updated every 5 minutes, and forecasts up to 14 days ahead.
How accurate are Solcast's solar and wind forecasts?
Solcast publishes independently verified forecast accuracy reports. Its models use real-time satellite cloud tracking and AI-driven algorithms, making them among the most accurate commercially available. Detailed validation studies are available on their website.
Is there a free plan available?
Yes, Solcast offers a free-to-try tier that allows new users to access the API and evaluate data quality without upfront cost. Paid plans unlock higher resolution, larger call volumes, and advanced power forecasting models.
How do I access Solcast data?
Data is accessible via the Solcast REST API and official SDKs. Users can sign up, generate an API key, and start retrieving data within minutes. A web platform and direct data transfer options are also available for enterprise clients.
What is the difference between Solcast and DNV Green Data Products?
Solcast provides the core irradiance, weather, and power forecasting API services. DNV Green Data Products—Solar Resource Compass and SolarFarmer—are premium bankable tools co-developed with DNV for site prospecting and detailed PV energy yield analysis, designed to meet lender and investor requirements.
