HOMER Grid 1.9
The discount factor is a ratio used to calculate the present value of a cash flow that occurs in any year of the project lifetime. HOMER calculates the discount factor using the following equation:
where: |
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|
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i |
= real discount rate [%] |
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N |
= number of years |
Example: For i = 5% and N = 12 years, the discount factor equals 0.557. That means a $1000 nominal cash flow in year 12 has a present value of $557. In other words, a $1000 cash flow in year 12 is equivalent to a $557 cash flow in year zero. This is a demonstration of the time value of money; a dollar is now worth more than a dollar twelve years in the future.
