Glossary | mc Help Center

Last modified: 2026-06-18

Term	Abbreviation	Definition
actual power/energy		The power or energy a system actually generates. Also called: measured power/energy, generated power/energy, produced power/energy, system yield for actual energy.
application programming interface	API	A software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other.
automation		VCOM module which allows you to create scheduled tickets for all systems simultaneously. Useful for O&M managers and CMMS users.
auto-close		Feature of VCOM smart alarms which automatically closes alarms of any type if the same error does not occur again after a user-defined period.
basic related: basic level, basic partner, basic-level partner(ship), SLA/service-level agreement basic		The first of three partnership agreement types between an organization and meteocontrol. The portal's basic functions are available. Some other modules can be purchased as add-ons. Contact our sales department for more details on the service levels: Sales@meteocontrol.com.
cockpit		The system Level in VCOM. This is the individual view of each system (= plant). Settings that affect an individual system, such as system-specific users, alarms, and feed-in revenue are made at this level.
computerized maintenance management system	CMMS	License-based VCOM feature that allows users to create work orders within tickets, assign work orders to service teams and technicians, and document the entire process via the O&M app.
control room		The portfolio level in VCOM. It gives you an overview of all your systems (=plants). Administrative settings that affect the entire portfolio, such as user management, are made at this level under Portfolio settings.
curtailment		In an electric grid, the curtailment of power generators is the intentional reduction in output power to balance energy supply and demand or due to transmission constraints. Grid operators or energy traders (third parties, direct marketers, etc.) generally carry out curtailments.
cycling		In the VCOM display settings, interval for switching from one system to the next.
energy performance index	EPI	KPI used in VCOM. The EPI/Energy performance index is the ratio between a system’s actual normalized AC energy and the expected normalized AC energy. Ideally, the value should be as close to 100% as possible. Expected normalized energy is calculated based on the selected simulation method.
expected power/energy		The power or energy the system would need to generate given the current conditions and set parameters. The exact target value is calculated using a simulation method of your choice. See also Simulation. Also called: simulated power/energy, targeted power/energy.
flat-rate billing model		Calculation based on the last 15-minute value before the power curtailment. Comes from the German Federal Network Agency ("Pauschalabrechnungsverfahren").
generic CSV		If your data logger is not compatible with VCOM, or if you use a PLC for monitoring and controlling, you can import your data into VCOM with the generic CSV import function. To use the generic CSV function, your device must be able to send CSV files via FTP. meteocontrol must configure a definition file for you in advance, for which a one-time fee is charged.
global horizontal irradiance	GH irradiance GHI	Irradiance produced by global solar radiation on a horizontal surface on the earth. In VCOM, the term `G_H0` or further `G_Hx` (x = 1..99) are used to define GH irradiances, see also Terms.
import interface V2		The data source Import interface V2 can be used if a device manufacturer configures their data logger to communicate with VCOM based on meteocontrol's import specification. Once configured, the Import interface V2 will display all detected devices.
import specification		Documentation for third-party manufacturers to configure data loggers, devices, and APIs to communicate with VCOM. Contains information about datapoints, examples, and further instructions.
KPI editor		KPI editor is a VCOM module. KPI editor is the overarching term, and performance ratio (PR) and system availability are the KPIs you can calculate. See KPI editor for PR and system availability.
machine learning simulation	ML simulation	Method of calculating the expected power. It builds on the physical simulation using a machine learning model to learn normal system behavior, like shading based on historical measured data.
normalizing factor		Ratio used to standardize and compare the performance of PV systems under different conditions. Also known as scale factor. 📗 Examples To compare systems with different nominal outputs. Actual energy, normalized (kWh/kWp): The energy generated was normalized to the nominal power.
peak billing model		Calculation based on the irradiation measured at the system location. German term comes from the German Federal Network Agency ("Spitzabrechnungsverfahren").
performance ratio	PR	KPI used in VCOM. The performance ratio is calculated based on the actual generated energy (= system yield), installed DC power, and POAI/Plane-of-array irradiance. It indicates how well the PV system can convert solar energy. Typically, an annual PR value of 75-85% is considered good.
physical system		A physical system represents an actual photovoltaic installation that exists in the real world. It includes real hardware – such as inverters, meters, modules, and sensors – and displays live operational data collected directly from the site.
plane of array irradiance	POA irradiance POAI	Data provided by a sensor in the same orientation/tilt as the PV modules, or data calculated from satellite measurements. Also called in-plane irradiance or irradiance on module plane. In VCOM, the term `G_M0` or further `G_Mx` (x = 1..99) are used to define sensors' POA irradiances, see also Terms.
portfolio settings		Area where settings at the portfolio level are made. Changes made here affect your entire VCOM portfolio.
portlet		A small application or component of a dashboard that enables a user to view data in a specific way.
power performance index	PPI	KPI used in VCOM. The PPI/Power performance index is the ratio between a system’s actual AC power and the expected AC power. Ideally, the value should be as close to 100% as possible. Values are calculated starting at an irradiance of 50 W/m². Expected power is always calculated based on the target performance ratio and the irradiation, even though this method is not necessarily selected for its simulation in the system settings.
premium related: premium level, premium partner, premium-level partner(ship), SLA/service-level agreement premium		The third of three partnership agreement types between an organization and meteocontrol. Almost all of the portal's functions are included. Only a few modules can be purchased as add-ons for the full functional scope. Contact our sales department for more details on the service levels: Sales@meteocontrol.com.
professional related: professional level, professional partner, professional-level partner(ship), SLA/service level agreement professional		The second of three partnership agreement types between an organization and meteocontrol. The portal's advanced basic functions are available. Some other modules can be purchased as add-ons. Contact our sales department for more details on the service levels: Sales@meteocontrol.com.
self-consumption		Portion of energy generated by a system that is consumed directly on-site rather than fed into the grid. In VCOM’s default setup, battery discharging is also included.
state of charge	SOC	Level of charge of an electric battery relative to its capacity in %. A quality indicator for batteries.
string combiner box StringBox, combiner box	SCB	An electrical distribution box that combines the output of multiple strings of PV modules for connection to the inverter.
system availability		KPI used in VCOM. System availability is the percentage of a system that is available over a period of time. It is an indicator of how quickly faults are identified and remedied.
system settings		Area where general system (= plant) settings are made in VCOM. Changes made here only affect a single.
term		In the mathematical sense, a “term” allows you to define custom data points at the system Level using your own formula, which is evaluated for the variables used for every available timestamp. The Term editor in VCOM allows you to process measured data from your system and generate key performance indicators. Terms are integral to charts, simulations, KPIs, evaluations, and certain portlets. 📗 Example You can use terms to calculate the average for several sensors or to define the parameters to determine the actual generated energy [`E_Z_EVU`].
total consumption		The sum of self-consumption plus grid import.
VCOM import compatibility list		List of third-party dataloggers, devices, and APIs that can directly import data into VCOM. Formerly known as: import interface. See VCOM import compatibility list.
virtual system		A virtual system is a digital representation created for organizational or analytical purposes. It does not correspond to a physical installation. Instead, it combines data from multiple physical systems or divides a large installation into smaller logical units that you can monitor individually.
yield loss		Amount of kW and revenue lost due to disruptions, technical failures, or curtailment measures. For Germany: the calculation is based on the “Leitfaden zum Einspeisemanagement” from the German Federal Network Agency.