Renewable Energy Sources
Energy sources that replenish naturally on human timescales and do not deplete with use.
Formula
Capacity Factor (%) = (Actual Output ÷ Maximum Possible Output) × 100
Real World
Denmark generated over 50% of its national electricity from wind turbines in 2023, with Ørsted's offshore wind farms in the North Sea achieving capacity factors above 50%, far exceeding onshore equivalents.
Exam Focus
Use capacity factor data to compare renewables — solar (~15–25%) vs offshore wind (~40–55%) — to strengthen analytical responses on reliability.
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