Grid Availability and Curtailment: The Hidden Drivers of Solar Asset Performance

As solar portfolios mature, it’s becoming clear that asset performance isn’t just about irradiation or inverter efficiency — it’s also about the grid itself. 

While metrics like Performance Ratio (PR) and system availability dominate most dashboards, two critical — and often underestimated — KPIs can make or break a plant’s returns: grid availability and curtailment. 

– Grid Availability
This measures how often your plant can actually deliver energy to the grid. Transformer outages, voltage fluctuations, or DSO maintenance can all interrupt export — regardless of how well your system is performing technically.
For asset managers, tracking this downtime is essential to distinguish between operational underperformance and external limitations. 

– Curtailment
Curtailment happens when grid operators limit energy exports to maintain stability — or when market conditions, such as negative prices, make generation uneconomic.
In 2025, several European markets saw negative electricity prices during sunny, low-demand periods. Understanding whether these limitations are grid-enforced or market-driven is key to managing both technical reporting and financial exposure. 

Why These KPIs Matter
If we ignore grid-related losses, we risk misjudging asset performance. A plant might seem to “underperform” when, in fact, it’s the grid or the market holding it back.
By clearly separating technical availability, grid availability, and market-driven constraints, asset managers can provide investors with a more transparent view of real performance and revenue attribution. 

Taking Action 

1. Integrate grid data into performance reports — Correlate SCADA logs with DSO events and track external downtime separately. 
2. Quantify curtailment events — Classify them by cause and duration to support claims or anticipate future risks. 
3. Leverage predictive analytics — Use historical data to forecast curtailment patterns and refine financial models. 

Conclusion

As solar penetration increases across Europe, these grid-related KPIs are becoming central to how we evaluate, report, and optimize solar assets.
Recognizing them isn’t just about accuracy — it’s about protecting value and building investor trust in an increasingly dynamic market. 

Written by Natasha Reveilhac – Asset Manager Solar