Question 1

How accurate is the Suncastic solar forecast?

Accepted Answer

Suncastic uses Open-Meteo weather forecast data including cloud cover, solar irradiance, and temperature to estimate PV output. Accuracy depends on weather model precision for your region, but forecasts are generally reliable for planning purposes within a 3–5 day window.

Question 2

What is PV output estimation?

Accepted Answer

PV output estimation predicts how much electricity (in kWh) your solar panels will produce based on weather conditions, your system size, panel orientation, and tilt angle. It helps you plan energy usage and optimize self-consumption.

Question 3

Do I need to sign up to use Suncastic?

Accepted Answer

No. You can view a solar forecast for any location without signing up. Signing in with Google lets you save plant configurations, view multi-day forecasts, and enable advanced features like air-quality adjustment and calibration.

Question 4

What data does Suncastic use for forecasts?

Accepted Answer

Weather forecasts (cloud cover, irradiance, temperature, weather codes, sunrise/sunset) come from Open-Meteo. Address search uses OpenStreetMap via Nominatim. PV output is calculated using your system configuration and a simplified solar model.

Question 5

Can I use Suncastic for battery and self-consumption planning?

Accepted Answer

Yes. By knowing how much energy your panels are likely to produce each hour, you can plan when to charge batteries, run high-consumption appliances, or export excess energy to the grid.

Question 6

What does inverter clipping mean in Suncastic?

Accepted Answer

Inverter clipping occurs when your solar panels produce more DC power than your inverter can convert to AC. Suncastic models this by capping estimated output at your inverter’s maximum AC power rating, giving you a realistic production figure.