1. NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC Solar Advisor Model for Photovoltaic Systems

2. Contents User Interface Overview Modeling PV Systems 2 This presentation is intended to follow the SAM introductory presentation. A separate presentation covers modeling concentrating solar power systems. Note that each of the following slides is annotated with presenter notes.. This presentation is intended to follow the SAM introductory presentation. A separate presentation covers modeling concentrating solar power systems. Note that each of the following slides is annotated with presenter notes.. National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

3. USER INTERFACE OVERVIEW Solar Advisor Model for Photovoltaics 3 National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

4. Main Window 4 National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

5. Access to Input Pages 5 Navigation menu provides access to input pages. Green button indicates active page. Navigation menu provides access to input pages. Green button indicates active page. National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

6. Access to Results 6 Summary displays the results page with Metrics table, sliders, and graphs. Spreadsheet opens the results workbook in Excel. Time Series Graphs opens the data viewer. Summary displays the results page with Metrics table, sliders, and graphs. Spreadsheet opens the results workbook in Excel. Time Series Graphs opens the data viewer. National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

7. Access to Results 7 Changing the value of one or more inputs causes the Run Analysis button to replace the results buttons. National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

8. Cases 8 A file contains one or more cases. Cases allow for comparison of projects with different system configurations. locations, financing structures, etc. A case consists of a complete set of inputs and results. Tabs provide access to cases. The current case is indicated by a green tab. A file contains one or more cases. Cases allow for comparison of projects with different system configurations. locations, financing structures, etc. A case consists of a complete set of inputs and results. Tabs provide access to cases. The current case is indicated by a green tab. National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

9. Input Variable Types By default, all data fields are populated by sample data. Type values into fields, or link to cells in an Excel spreadsheet. By default, all data fields are populated by sample data. Type values into fields, or link to cells in an Excel spreadsheet. 9 National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

10. Links to an External Workbook SAM Inputs “SentTo” Excel 10 “CapturedFrom” National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

11. Results Summary Page 11 National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

12. Results Spreadsheet 12 List of inputs Cash flow detail Hourly energy values Monthly and annual averages National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

13. Data Viewer 13 Graphical representation of hourly outputs Statistical graphs National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

14. Sliders 14 National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

15. Sliders 15 National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

16. Sensitivity Analysis Assign multiple values to any input variable Use graphs and sliders to view results 16 National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

17. MODELING PV SYSTEMS Solar Advisor Model for Photovoltaics 17 National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

18. PV Sample File 18 National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

19. PV Market Options 19 National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

20. Climate 20 Choose a location from the list of built-in TMY2 files Download an EPW file from the Energy Plus website (TMY3 files are available as EPW) Download a weather file in TMY2 format from the NREL Solar Prospector website (beta version) Or, Convert a file to TMY2 using Meteonorm or other software (some conversion tools are available on the SAM Google Group) National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

21. Utility Rates Utility rates options apply only to systems on the customer’s side of the meter: Residential and Commercial Two options: Flat rate and time-of-use schedule Utility rate affects net present value and payback period, but not levelized cost of energy Utility rates options apply only to systems on the customer’s side of the meter: Residential and Commercial Two options: Flat rate and time-of-use schedule Utility rate affects net present value and payback period, but not levelized cost of energy 21 National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

22. Financials 22 Choose market: Residential, commercial or utility Choose financing type: Cash, debt, mortgage, etc. Enter parameters Results displayed as metrics (LCOE, NPV, IRR, etc.) and annual cash flow summary and detail LCOE and other economic metrics are very sensitive to financial inputs! Choose market: Residential, commercial or utility Choose financing type: Cash, debt, mortgage, etc. Enter parameters Results displayed as metrics (LCOE, NPV, IRR, etc.) and annual cash flow summary and detail LCOE and other economic metrics are very sensitive to financial inputs! National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

23. Incentives 23 Incentive Types Investment tax credit Production tax credit Capacity-based incentive Production-based incentive Incentives from up to four sources Federal government State government Utility Other Modify Tax Implications Taxable incentives Incentive impact on depreciation Incentive Types Investment tax credit Production tax credit Capacity-based incentive Production-based incentive Incentives from up to four sources Federal government State government Utility Other Modify Tax Implications Taxable incentives Incentive impact on depreciation National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

24. System 24 Configuration Flat plate Concentrating PV Array Layout (number of modules and inverters) Tracking and orientation Degradation and derating factors Module Single-point efficiency with temperature correction Sandia PV Array Performance Model (David King et. al.) CA Energy Commission / U of Wisconsin 5-parameter model Single-point efficiency for concentrating PV Inverter Single-point efficiency inverter model Sandia Inverter Performance Model (David King et. al.) Configuration Flat plate Concentrating PV Array Layout (number of modules and inverters) Tracking and orientation Degradation and derating factors Module Single-point efficiency with temperature correction Sandia PV Array Performance Model (David King et. al.) CA Energy Commission / U of Wisconsin 5-parameter model Single-point efficiency for concentrating PV Inverter Single-point efficiency inverter model Sandia Inverter Performance Model (David King et. al.) National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

25. Costs 25 Module and inverter costs in $/W or $/unit. Operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. Fixed annual cost ($/yr) Fixed per rated capacity ($/kW-dc) Variable per total annual output ($/MWh-ac) Default values are illustrative and not based on actual projects. Actual costs depend on location, project type, market conditions See SAM website for resources Module and inverter costs in $/W or $/unit. Operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. Fixed annual cost ($/yr) Fixed per rated capacity ($/kW-dc) Variable per total annual output ($/MWh-ac) Default values are illustrative and not based on actual projects. Actual costs depend on location, project type, market conditions See SAM website for resources National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

26. Questions? 26 Online Help and User Guide –Help menu and buttons SAM Website –http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/sam Google Groups –http://groups.google.com/group/sam-user-group Email User Support –Solar_Advisor_Support@nrel.gov National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future

27. Thank You! Solar_Advisor_Support@nrel.gov http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/sam 27 National Renewable Energy LaboratoryInnovation for Our Energy Future