Vantage Forecaster - Quick Start Card
One-page reference for common tasks.
Launch & Setup
1. Extract ZIP to any folder
2. Double-click "Vantage Forecaster.exe"
3. First run: Go to Settings > Set data paths
Common Tasks
Generate Demand Forecast
1. Forecast tab > Check "Enable Demand"
2. Select mode: Regional (3) or Zonal (14)
3. Set date range
4. Click "Run Forecast"
5. Output: output/FC_DEM_*.csv or FC_ZDEM_*.csv
Generate Capacity Factor Forecast
1. Forecast tab > Check "Enable CFAC"
2. Select model: Hybrid (recommended)
3. Set date range
4. Click "Run Forecast"
5. Output: output/FC_CF_*.csv
Run Daily Scheduled Forecast
1. Scheduler tab
2. Set as-of date (default: today)
3. Check "Daily" and/or "Weekly"
4. Click "Run Scheduled Forecast"
5. Output: output/forecasts/<date>/
Recommended Settings
Demand Forecast
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Hybrid |
| LSTM Correction | On (optional) |
CFAC - Wind Stations
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Hybrid |
| XGBoost | Off |
| Asymmetric Loss | Off |
CFAC - Solar Stations
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Hybrid |
| XGBoost | On |
| Asymmetric Loss | On |
Data Paths (Default)
| Path | Location |
|---|---|
| Database | data\iload.db |
| Weather Cache | weather_cache |
| Training Data | Data Samples\ |
| Output | output\ |
Output File Naming
| Prefix | Meaning |
|---|---|
FC_ | Full forecast |
DA_ | Day-ahead |
WA_ | Week-ahead |
DEM_ | Demand |
ZDEM_ | Zonal demand |
CF_ / MHCF_ | Capacity factor |
Troubleshooting Quick Fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Won't start | Check Windows Defender |
| No database | Set path in Settings |
| Weather error | Check internet/API key |
| Empty output | Check date range validity |
| Slow | Close other apps |
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+R | Run forecast |
Ctrl+S | Save settings |
F5 | Refresh database info |
Esc | Cancel running forecast |
Need Help?
- Read
BEGINNERS_GUIDE.md - Check status panel for errors
- Contact development team