Few Questions regarding SAM 2015-06-30

Hi Paul,

Here are few questions I have regarding defining additional module and inverters in SAM 2015-06-30:

- How to check for CEC module database update in this version?
- How to calculate parameters needed to add a module to CEC database?
- Some of the parameters/variables in the CEC database/SAM UI do not correspond.
- Would it be possible to add a feature in SAM to read PAN files
- In Inverter datasheet mode the inverter name cannot be specified.

Regards,
Navid

Dear Navid,
How to check for CEC module database update in this version?
The module and inverter libraries contain data from the most current database that was available when we released SAM. For SAM 2015.6.30 r3, the databases are from October 2015. When we release the next version of SAM, we will also update the libraries.
How to calculate parameters needed to add a module to CEC database?
When you use the "CEC Performance Model with User Entered Specifications" option on the Module page, SAM calculates the CEC module parameters and reports them in the results. You can find them on the Data tab of the Results page under "Single Values." The variable names for the parameters begin with "CEC 6-parameter."
Some of the parameters/variables in the CEC database/SAM UI do not correspond.
Can you give specific examples of paramters whos values do not match? I am not sure what values you are comparing to those in the UI.
Would it be possible to add a feature in SAM to read PAN files.
That is on our wish list for a future version of SAM. Depending on how our funding works out, we may be able to add the feature to the late 2016 version.
In Inverter datasheet mode the inverter name cannot be specified.
How would you use the inverter name? The only inputs are those that SAM uses to calculate the inverter output.
Best regards,

Paul.

 

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your quick response.

Regarding update feature: given your response the help files need to be revised to reflect this change.

Regarding the last question, I want to use the inverter name as an handle to iterate/differentiate between different inverters. I read specification of different inverters from an external database.

Also, there are few variables in the Excel-exchange variable selection form that are not in the right place. For example:
- 6 variables at the beginning that are not categorized
- Voltage (Vmp), alpha, beta and gamma variables that are currently under "Tax and Insurance Rates"
- Saturation current and Isc under "Salvage Value"
- Voc under "Location and Resource"
- Light current under "Financial Analysis Parameters"
- Diode factor and Efficiency under "Depreciation"
- and other variables under "Cost of Acquiring Financing"

Thanks for your superb support.

Regards,
Navid

Dear Navid,

We will fix the problems with the variable groups in the next version of SAM. Thank you for pointing those out.

I will also revise the explanations in Help of the inverter and module library update schedule.

As for the inverter name for the Inverter Datasheet option, where would you want the inverter name to be reported? Are you using Excel Exchange or an LK script to read the inverter parameters from your external database?

Best regards,
Paul.

Dear Paul,

Thanks! Either Excel Exchange or LK scripting will do. I think the main point is to a have a variable to which user can assign a name or tag, similar to "Module description" variable in the "CEC Module Performance Model with User Specifications" tab.

Kind regards,
Navid

Hi Paul,
I wanted to follow up on your response regarding SAM's ability to read PAN files in the late 2016 release:

"That is on our wish list for a future version of SAM. Depending on how our funding works out, we may be able to add the feature to the late 2016 version."

Can you provide an update on this feature and if it's expected to be available for the late 2016 release?

Thanks,
Jason