Modeling Utility-scale PV Systems in SAM

[@xiangzhong1817]

Hello, can SAM be used to analyze p2p energy trading in the local energy market?

[@SAMDemoVideos]

You should be able to use the Residential or Commercial financial model with the "Net billing" option for a peer-to-peer arrangement. Please consider using the SAM forum to follow up or ask other questions: sam.nrel.gov/forum.

[@LuisAlbanes]

Hello again, I´ve already done my first run on a small project. I didn´t find exactly the PV and Inverter we have so I used the closest ones and I have this message at the end: Inverter oversized: ------The maximum inverter output was 68.60% of the rated value 2.626 kWac--------. So, I have to use a smaller inverter?

[@SAMDemoVideos]

This message is intended to help make sure you correctly sized the system. You can use the inputs on the System Design page to see verify the system size. Please consider using the SAM Forum to ask questions about SAM: sam.nrel.gov/forum.

[@LuisAlbanes]

@@SAMDemoVideos thank you, nect time I will post at your forum

[@segolamephegelo3569]

Hi there! I am evaluating the performance of an on-grid solar PV plant in Botswana, Gaborone, Currently, there is only 2017, 2018, and 2019 weather data. May I kindly request an update on the weather data. Thank you!

[@SAMDemoVideos]

The NREL National Solar Radiation Database now has data for most of the world, including Africa, and you can download that data directly from SAM's Solar Resource page. Please use the SAM forum to post further questions: sam.nrel.gov/forum.

[@LuisAlbanes]

Hello, for the shading calculations in the shade calculator, what software is usde to make a .s3d file please?

[@SAMDemoVideos]

The .s3d file is a special file used by SAM to store scene data for SAM's 3D Shade Calculator. Please post any follow-up questions on the SAM forum: sam.nrel.gov/forum.

[@LuisAlbanes]

@@SAMDemoVideos thank you

[@pusesewe]

I was so excited using this software trying to use a Canadian Solar utility inverter 350KW, which has 16 mppts... Then I realized i cannot have more than 1 inverter with mppts, and if I do, it can only have 4 PPTS I dont know how to go around this to simulate an 8MW solar farm

[@SAMDemoVideos]

This is currently a limitation in SAM. You only really need to model separate MPPT inputs for subarrays that have different string lengths, orientation, or shading. Please post any further questions on the SAM forum: sam.nrel.gov/forum.

[@exploringworldbeauty]

Hi Dear, Hope you are fine. Actually, I am performing performance and economic analysis for a 10 MW PV plant using UAE weather data. However, when I simulate it its Net Present Value is always negative but for similar 10 MW (built-in) USA weather-based data, NPV is positive. For both of the above projects UAE based and USA-based 10 MW solar PV projects, all the settings/inputs are similar like a number of inverters, modules etc. The only thing I changed is to enter the coordinates of UAE in the location tab to enter the UAE location and its NPV turns out to be negative but for USA USA-based location, it's always positive. (and there is a big difference between these two values) Can you help me rectify the issue, I think it might be something wrong when we load the UAE weather data? Hope to hear from you soon. Note: I have also posted in this SAM platform and also provided you both SAM files in my second reply.

[@SAMDemoVideos]

Please see this conversation on the SAM forum: sam.nrel.gov/forum/forum-general/4349