โ™ป๏ธap environmental science review

Capacity factor

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examโ€ขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025

Definition

The ratio of actual energy output from a power generation facility to its theoretical maximum output if operating at full capacity continuously.

AP course connection

Topic 6.2: 6.2 Global Energy Consumption

Unit 6