USAID Clean Energy Emission Reduction (CLEER)

Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Purpose:

Version Number:
Version Date:
Activity Type:

Instructions:
If your clean energy activity involves multiple actions, each action may have to be estimated separately using this
Note: Please enable macros before beginning.
Step 1: Enter program information in the "Action Information" section of the "Data Input" page.
Step 2: Enter the data on the "Energy Information and Data" section of the "Data Input" page.
Step 3: List any assumptions on the data from the action at the bottom of the "Data Input" page.
Step 4: Click on the "Review Calculations" arrow to proceed to the "Calculations" page.
Step 5: Review calculations and enter alternate values if desired.
Step 6: List any assumptions made about the alternate values at the bottom of the "Calculations" page.
Step 7: Click on the "View Results" arrow to review the final calculation of annual emission reductions.
Step 8: Report emission reductions to the Global Climate Change Office through the FACTS Info database.
Note: Data from multiple actions will have to be aggregated in order to report on an entire activity.

Legend:
Cell Color Legend:
Clean Energy Emission Reduction (CLEER)
hotovoltaic Systems

This tool assists USAID operating units in estimating GHG emissions reduced or avoided from
clean energy activities.
Version 2.8
10/1/2023
Renewable and Alternative Energy, Technology and Implementation - Solar Photovoltaic

an energy activity involves multiple actions, each action may have to be estimated separately using this calculator.
se enable macros before beginning.
Enter program information in the "Action Information" section of the "Data Input" page.
Enter the data on the "Energy Information and Data" section of the "Data Input" page.
List any assumptions on the data from the action at the bottom of the "Data Input" page.
Click on the "Review Calculations" arrow to proceed to the "Calculations" page.
Review calculations and enter alternate values if desired.
List any assumptions made about the alternate values at the bottom of the "Calculations" page.
Click on the "View Results" arrow to review the final calculation of annual emission reductions.
Report emission reductions to the Global Climate Change Office through the FACTS Info database.
a from multiple actions will have to be aggregated in order to report on an entire activity.
Optional: Click Here to learn mor
about data required to use the to

Yellow cells are Input Fields.

Blue cells are input fields for Alternate Values.
Green cells are GHG reduction estimates. Click Here to Begin!
White cells are calculations fields and are not editable.
Action Information and Data Input
Use this form to enter information about the action and its energy use.

Section 1 - Action Information

*required fields

About the Action

Implementing Mechanism Number*
Implementing Mechanism Name*
Action Name*
Fiscal Year Reported*
Operating Unit
Implementing Partner

Location of the Action

Country*
Subnational Region, State, or Province
City
Geographic Coordinates

Section 2 - Energy Information and Data

*All fields are required

Is the action replacing direct fuel consumption (e.g., for heating, cooking, or lighting)? If so, select ‘Yes’.*
If the action is replacing electricity (e.g., from the grid or on-site generators), please select 'No’.

Assumptions
Document all assumptions or comments regarding the action or any of the data used for the estimation.
0
d Data Input Instructions

t the action and its energy use.

Reporting Details and Worksheet Status

Point of Contact (Name)
Contact Email
Contact Phone (Including Country Code)
Worksheet Status
Worksheet Date
Description of the Action

umption (e.g., for heating, cooking, or lighting)? If so, select ‘Yes’.*

ctricity (e.g., from the grid or on-site generators), please select 'No’.

he action or any of the data used for the estimation.

 Ho
structions me Calculations

Optional: Click Here to learn more

about data required to use the tool.

Review Calculations
Review Calculations
 Calculations
Review the emission reduction calculations. Enter alternate values in the blue fields, if desired.

Summary of Data Input

This section summarizes data input in the Energy Information and Data section.

Is the action replacing direct fuel consumption (e.g., for heating, cooking, or lighting)? If so, select
‘Yes’.*
If the action is replacing electricity (e.g., from the grid or on-site generators), please select 'No’.
###
### What type of fuel was replaced?*
###
### How much fuel was offset by the action?*

Emission Reductions Calculations

NA = Not Applicable due to the options selected.

Solar Photovoltaics
Default Values

Action grid connection type: Fuel Combustion

Alternate electricity source: On-Site Combustion
Emission Factor (Diesel) (gCO₂e/GJ) 74,354

1 Emissions Reductions - On-Site Combustion Baseline

1 Fuel Consumed in the Baseline
1 <Fuel Units> GigaJoules (GJ)
1 0 = 0

Renewable energy generation systems are assumed to emit zero GHGs per kWh generated; thus activity emissions are

Assumptions
Document all assumptions or comments regarding the alternate values used for the estimation.
 Ho
Data Input me Results

ue fields, if desired.

0 <Fuel Units>

Alternate Values Enter

Entercountry-
country-or
orsite-specific
site-specificalternate
alternate
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page.

Diesel Generator Efficiency Baseline Emission Factor

gCO2e/GJ
/ 0.35 x 74,354 /

; thus activity emissions are equal to zero.

View Results!
View Results!
 Results

ecific
ecificalternate
alternate
ififdesired.
desired.List
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Conversion Emission Reductions

grams to metric tons
1,000,000 = 0.0
Results
This page summarizes total FY emissions reduced or avoided (tCO 2e). Report Total FY Emission R

Results and Summary

Action Information Summary
Implementing Mechanism Number
Implementing Mechanism Name
Action Name
Operating Unit
Implementing Partner
Country
Fiscal Year Reported
Clean Energy Action Type Renewable Electricity Generation

Total Fiscal Year Emission Reductions

Baseline Emissions Activity Emissions
(tCO2e) (tCO2e)
0.00 - 0.0 =

(kgCO2e) (kgCO2e)
0 - 0 =

Total Fiscal Year Energy Consumption Comparison

Baseline Energy Activity Energy
Consumption (GJ) Consumption (GJ)
0.0 - 0.0 =

Summary of Assumptions
Summary of all assumptions and comments.
 Ho
Calculations me

tCO 2e). Report Total FY Emission Reductions in the green field for Indicator 4.8-7.
Emissions (tCO2e)

Action Emission Reductions

1

Emission Reductions

Activity Emissions

1 Baseline Emissions Level

Activity Emissions Level

Total FY Emission
Reductions (tCO2e)
Total
Total Emissions
Emissions Reduced
Reduced in in the
the
0.00 reporting
reporting year.
year.
Report
Report this
this value
value in
in FACTS
FACTS Info.
Info.
(kgCO2e)
0

Total FY Energy Savings Difference

(GJ) Difference between
between the
the
baseline
baseline and
and activity
activity energy
energy for
for
0.0 the
the reporting
reporting year.
year.
icator 4.8-7.
Data Collection Needs
This page lists the necessary data the user should collect for estimating GHG emission reduction

Solar Photovoltaic Calculator Pathways

Instructions: This calculator is capable of estimating emissions using different sets of inputs. Follow the diagram below to u
to complete the calculations. The diagram will also be helpful in determining information you may need to collect in the fu
The diagram is color-coded to differentiate the type of input. Highlighted data inputs are further explained in the table bel
the calculator, which determine the set of inputs necessary. Grey shapes indicate a user-selected answer which are chosen
user-input that is manually entered.

Legend
Tool Question Is the action rep
fuels for cook
heating or lighti
User Selection not power gene

Required Input
No

Do you know the amount

of electricity generated by
the system?
Yes No

Enter the amount of Enter the

electricity generated Photovoltaic Array
by the system DC Rating

Do you want to provid

No the Latitude and
Longitude of the actio
location?

How is the
action
 No
Longitude of the actio
location?

How is the
action

Distributed Off-grid
Utility grid
or micro

Would the project area

have been grid-
Yes No
connected in the future
without the action?

Solar Photovoltaic: List of Data Definitions and Sources

Some data required for the corresponding methodology calculations are excluded from this table, but are provided for the
Source Parameter

User-Provided Electricity Generated

User-Provided Array DC Rating

User-Provided Fuel Type

User-Provided Baseline Fuel Consumed

User-Provided Latitude and Longitude

Default: NASA/NREL Capacity Factor

Default: IEA (2014) Grid Line Loss Factor

Default: IGES (2015) Grid Electricity Emission

IEA (2014) Factor

Fuel-Specific Emission
Default: IPCC (2006)
Factor

Default: Assumed 365

days of annual Operational Days per Year
operation
Note: See the CLEER Protocol Appendices for the default data sources and values.
 the user should collect for estimating GHG emission reductions, which will vary by action.

ator Pathways
stimating emissions using different sets of inputs. Follow the diagram below to understand how sets of inputs are grouped together
will also be helpful in determining information you may need to collect in the future.
the type of input. Highlighted data inputs are further explained in the table below the diagram. Blue shapes are questions asked in
nputs necessary. Grey shapes indicate a user-selected answer which are chosen from a drop down menu. Yellow shapes indicate a

d
tion Is the action replacing
fuels for cooking,
heating or lighting? i.e.,
tion not power generation

put
No Yes

Do you know the amount

of electricity generated by
the system?
es No

Enter the fuel

amount of Enter the type and
y generated Photovoltaic Array amount offset
e system DC Rating by the action

Do you want to provide

No the Latitude and
Longitude of the action Yes
location?

w is the
Enter the Latitude
tion
and Longitude
 No
Longitude of the action Yes
location?

w is the
Enter the Latitude
tion
and Longitude

ributed Off-grid
micro

Would the project area

have been grid-
connected in the future No
without the action?

Data Definitions and Sources

methodology calculations are excluded from this table, but are provided for the user in the calculator.
Definition
Quantity of electricity consumed or generated under the action in
the reporting year

DC rated capacity of the solar PV array

The type of traditional or alternate fuel consumed in the baseline

and/or action in the reporting year
Amount of traditional fuel consumed in the baseline of the
reporting year

Geographic coordinates specific to the location of the action

Calculated as the product of the efficiency of the system and

average-day insolation incident on a tilted surface at specific
coordinates
Average annual grid line loss due to transmission and distribution,
by country
Average combined marginal GHG emission factor for grid
electricity, by country

GHG emission factor for specific fuel types

Number of days per year that the system is operation. If not

entered, the calculator assumes the system was operational for the
entire year.
or the default data sources and values.
 Ho
Data Input me

eductions, which will vary by action.

below to understand how sets of inputs are grouped together

ct in the future.
e table below the diagram. Blue shapes are questions asked in
are chosen from a drop down menu. Yellow shapes indicate a

action replacing
s for cooking,
or lighting? i.e.,
wer generation

Yes

Enter the fuel

he type and
c Array amount offset
ng by the action

to provide
de and
the action Yes
on?

Enter the Latitude

and Longitude
 the action Yes
on?

Enter the Latitude

and Longitude

ed for the user in the calculator.

Typical Value/Units
Kilowatt hours (kWh);
Megawatt hours (MWh)
Kilowatts (kW);
Megawatts (MW)
See a list of potential fuel types in Appendix A of the
User Guide
Gigajoules (GJ), or one of the volumetric units, by
fuel type.
Latitude between -90° and 90°
Longitude between -180° and 180°

Percent (0-99%)

Percent (0-99%)

tCO2e/kWh of electricity

tCO2e/GJ of fuel

Days/Year