When you create a new case or file, SAM populates inputs with default values to help you get started with your analysis. So, if you create a case for a power tower system with the single owner financial model, SAM populates the inputs on the Financing and System Costs pages with values that are reasonable for a typical project of that kind in the United States. The default values are just a starting point: As you develop and refine your analysis, you should change the inputs to values that are appropriate for your analysis scenario.
The documents listed below were used to develop the default cost data for SAM's Concentrating Solar Power models.
Turchi, C.; Boyd, M.; Kesseli, D.; Kurup, P.; Mehos, M.; Neises, T.; Sharan, P.; Wagner, M.; Wendelin, T. (2019) CSP Systems Analysis - Final Project Report. NREL/TP-5500-72856. (PDF 4.9 MB)
Kurup, P.; Turchi, C.; (2015). Parabolic Trough Collector Cost Update for the System Advisor Model (SAM). NREL/TP-6A20-65228. (PDF 2 MB)
Turchi C, Heath G. (2013). Molten Salt Power Tower Cost Model for the System Advisor Model. NREL/TP-5500-57625. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (PDF 2.3 MB, SAM 2012.11.30 ZSAM 76 KB, EXCEL XLSX 114 KB)
Kolb G, Ho C, Mancini T, Gary J. (2011). Power Tower Technology Roadmap and Cost Reduction Plan. SAND2011-2419. Sandia National Laboratories. (PDF 503 KB)
Kutscher C, Mehos M, Turchi C, Glatzmaier G, Moss T. (December 2010). Line-Focus Solar Power Plant Cost Reduction Plan. NREL/TP-5500-48175. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (PDF 1.32 MB)
Kelly B. (June 2010). Advanced Thermal Storage for Central Receivers with Supercritical Coolants. DOE Contract Report under Grant DE-FG36-08GO18149. (PDF 1.0 MB)
Turchi C. (2010). Parabolic Trough Reference Plant for Cost Modeling with the Solar Advisor Model (SAM). 112 pp.; NREL/TP-550-47605. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (PDF 7.2 MB, EXCEL XLSX 109 KB, SAM 2010.4.12 ZSAM 320 KB)
Turchi C, Mehos M, Ho C, Kolb G. (2010). Current and Future Costs for Parabolic Trough and Power Tower Systems in the US Market: Preprint. 11 pp.; NREL/CP-5500-49303. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (PDF 413 KB)
Black & Veatch. (2007). Arizona Renewable Energy Assessment Final Report.
Kolb G, Jones S, Donnelly M, Gorman D, Thomas R, Davenport R, Lumia R. (June 2007). Heliostat Cost Reduction Study. SAND2007-3293. Sandia National Laboratories. (PDF 2.48 MB)
Black & Veatch (2006), Economic, Energy, and Environmental Benefits of Concentrating Solar Power in California. (PDF 1.5 MB)
Sargent & Lundy Engineering (2003), Assessment of Parabolic Trough and Power Tower Solar Technology Cost and Performance Forecasts>. (PDF 2.4 MB)