Modeling PV Systems in SAM 2020.2.29

[@Z-add]

Sunpower used to sell fixed tilt single axis trackers called the T20 tracker. most single axis are indeed at 0 tilt.

[@JIAJIANTAN]

Currently doing a research for LCA photovoltaic, Do I need to set a real life situation of a photovoltaic system to be compatible with SAM ? Or SAM itself is a simulation to simulate the real life situation?

[@SAMDemoVideos]

SAM runs a simulation that represents the real life system. As the video demonstrates, you provide information about the system design and financial parameters of the project you would like to model, and SAM calculates the system's electrical output and financial metrics. Please use the SAM Forum at sam.nrel.gov/forum to post your questions about SAM.

[@noname-ug2qx]

So, SAM can't design for more than 4 subarrays?. How do you then do your string design for a large rooftop with more than 4 roofs with different orientations?

[@SAMDemoVideos]

There may be workarounds depending on the system design. For example, modules on different roof surfaces that have the same orientation could be modeled as a single subarray. It may also be possible to break the system up into separate cases and combine them. Please follow up on the SAM Forum if you have more questions or comments about this: sam.nrel.gov/forum.

[@EmmanuelKlutse]

where can you find the amount of modules to be connected in series and in parallel connection?

[@SAMDemoVideos]

Please see the "PV System Sizing" topic in Help for details about number of modules per string and strings in parallel. If you have other questions, please post them on the SAM forum at sam.nrel.gov/forum.

[@noname-ug2qx]

Is this system sizing method sufficient enough to match load demand through the year, in which I don't. Someone who doesn't understand the in-depth PV system concept will think that this is the right way to size the system.

[@SAMDemoVideos]

This video is intended to help people learn how to set SAM inputs that determine the system size, not as a general guide for sizing PV systems. It uses an example where the available space on a residential roof is the determining factor. In other situations, factors such as the building load, limits on grid exports, cost, or others will be the determining factor of the system size.

[@olijak]

How do you enter microinverters (ex: IQ8) in the system design?

[@SAMDemoVideos]

See the "Microinverters" section at the bottom of the "Inverters" topic in SAM's Help system. A copy of Help on the web is here: samrepo.nrelcloud.org/help/pv_inverter.html. Please post questions about SAM on the SAM forum: sam.nrel.gov/forum.

[@bilalel-zaylaa8390]

How do i change the year of a simulation? I have a weather file from 2004 that i want to run but it keeps simulating in 2021

[@SAMDemoVideos]

Please post questions about SAM on the SAM Forum at sam.nrel.gov/forum. The year shown in some graphs and tables on the Results page do not match the time stamps in the weather file. SAM uses the time stamps in the weather file, so you can ignore those 2021 year values.

[@ibrahimjanjena6734]

where do i get the sensitivity and GHG models in SAM software

[@SAMDemoVideos]

Please post your questions about SAM on the SAM forum at sam.nrel.gov/forum. SAM does not model greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The simulation options provide some tools you can use for sensitivity analysis: sam.nrel.gov/simulation-options.html

[@boyali1564]

Why I am not be able to download new location? It shows an error that the required ‘email’ parameter must be a valid email address. Idk how can I correct it. Plz help me with it. Thanks

[@SAMDemoVideos]

Please see this post on the SAM forum: sam.nrel.gov/forum/forum-general/3063

[@mohammedabdalghafoor5656]

can i design a hybrid system by SAM (PV-wind-Battery-Diesel Generators)?

[@SAMDemoVideos]

SAM does not currently model hybrid power systems. You might consider a model like HOMER instead.

[@ahmadzia134]

I want to design an off grid pv system without battery storage can i do it with SAM

[@SAMDemoVideos]

SAM models grid-connected systems. There are some workaround solutions that you can use to approximate an off grid system. You can search the SAM forum for "off-grid" to see discussions on the topic at sam.nrel.gov.

[@muhammadhamzah1064]

hi, can I simulate my PV System from 2023 to uptill now in SAM..

[@SAMDemoVideos]

The simulation year depends on the weather file. To model the system for 2023, you will need weather data for 2023. The NREL NSRDB (nsrdb.nrel.gov) is updated annually -- as of now the data goes up to 2022. For other sources of weather data to use with SAM, including commercial sources that provide more recent data, see sam.nrel.gov/weather-data.

[@muhammedanees7562]

is there a way to add new modules in this??

[@SAMDemoVideos]

Please see this post on the SAM forum: sam.nrel.gov/forum/forum-general/2768

[@madiva45]

Hi ,can you semdme the thouse file sample ,for SAM use , the house sample and the big one too ,thanks for you video very good

[@SAMDemoVideos]

You can find sample 3D Shade Scene files, including the one we used for this webinar on the SAM GitHub repository at github.com/NREL/SAM/tree/patch/samples. You can find other webinar supporting documents on the PV videos page of the SAM website at sam.nrel.gov/photovoltaic/pv-videos.html.

[@Z-add]

how to check if the designed system actually matches my load profile.

[@SAMDemoVideos]

You can compare the "system power generated" output variable to "Lifetime electricity load." Please consider using the SAM forum for more detailed discussions about SAM: sam.nrel.gov/forum.

[@Z-add]

From what i know tmy3 data shouldn't be used for pv modeling. It's meant for building energy modeling. You need more accurate data like one provided by solargis for pv modeling. Can you show how to make use of the solargis data.

[@SAMDemoVideos]

For information about weather data to use with SAM, see sam.nrel.gov/weather-data.html.

[@alfiansyach2788]

can i design a building integrated PV (BIPV) system, especially thin film PV using SAM?

[@SAMDemoVideos]

You can model elements of a BIPV system in SAM, but there are limitation. I'm happy to discuss further on the SAM forum: sam.nrel.gov/forum.