It is defined as the ratio of energy generated expressed in units of kWh generated to the product of plant capacity and the number of hours during which the plant was operational.
Mathematically,
Plant use factor = Station output expressed in kWh/(Plant capacity * Hours of operation)
Example 1: A hydroelectric power plant has an installed capacity of 25 MW has an annual output of 6.95 X 106 kWh. The plant remains in operation for 2175 hours per year. Calculate the plant use factor.
Solution:
Plant capacity = 25 MW = 25 X 103 kW
Now
