B. Define the Captured From variable |  |  |  |

| This topic describes SAM 3.0 and has not been revised for SAM 2009 Beta. You may find useful information, especially if you are new to SAM, but some of the information may be inconsistent with the new version.

To define the Captured From variable (import values to Solar Advisor from an external spreadsheet):

1. | Open Standard PV Systems.sam. The files is located in Solar Advisor's sample file folder (C:\SAM\Samples by default).

2. | On the Residential case's Costs page, right-click the input box for the Fixed(per capacity) variable. (The value in the screenshots below may be different from the value on your screen.)

3. | Solar Advisor displays the Input Type window.

4. | In the Input Type window, click Captured From, under Workbook, click , and double-click the workbook name User Guide Workbook Example.xls.

5. | In the Input Type window, click the Named Range arrow and select Fixed_per_Capacity. Note that all named ranges in the workbook appear in the Named Range list.

Solar Advisor displays the value from the workbook in the box with a yellow background.

6. | If want to view the workbook, you can click the button next to named range. If you do so, do not change any values or formulas in the workbook while Solar Advisor is open. If you want to edit a connected workbook, close Solar Advisor, and then open the workbook in Excel.

7. | Click OK to return to the main window. Solar Advisor displays the Captured From variable with a yellow background to indicate that it is connected to an external workbook.