Installing and Removing the Software |  |  |  |

| 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.

The following procedure describes how to install the software, open a sample file, and create a second copy of the file for reviewing inputs. For information about downloading the software and hardware and software requirements, see Installation Requirements.

Solar Advisor comes with a set of sample files, which are located in the Samples folder. There is a backup copy of each sample file in the Backup folder. Both the Samples and Backup folders are located in the same folder as the Solar Advisor program files, which is C:\SAM unless you specify a different folder in the installation process.

Note. Solar Advisor must be installed on a local drive. The software will not work properly if it is installed on a network drive or if any of the files it uses are on a network drive.

To install Solar Advisor and start the software:

1. | Run the installation file SAM_install.exe and follow the installation wizard instructions.

2. | On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button.

3. | Click All Programs, and click to start the software.

There are several ways to start the software. For example, depending on your Windows setup, you can click the shortcut on your desktop, or the command in the Start menu.

4. | When you start Solar Advisor for the first time, the software prompts you to select a sample file. Each time you start the software, you must open an existing file.

To uninstall Solar Advisor:

1. | Run the Windows Add/Remove Program tool.

2. | Delete the Solar Advisor folder, which is C:\SAM by default.