Problem Loading EPW

I am having trouble using EPW files for my detailed photovoltaic analysis.

System Profile:
Windows 7 x64
SAM 2016.3.14

I have created a detailed commercial project using the closest SAM CSV weather file under the "Choose a weather file from the solar resource library". However, I then learned that I could use EPW files from my local airport. So, I downloaded my local EPW, and saved it to a local drive. Then I click on the check box under "Use a specific weather file on disk", and selected my local weather file.

Then I click on "Simulate" to run the model with the new location, but when I create a report, the PDF shows that the generator is located on whatever I last clicked on in the "choose a weather file from the solar resource library" area, completely ignoring the fact that the "use a specific weather file on disk" is still selected.

So, how can I use my EPW? Do I need to convert it to another file type? Is there any way to de-select the option to use a weather file from the solar resource library?

Any help is appreciated.

Regards,
David

Dear David,

SAM's PDF report displays the location information that you see under "Choose a weather file from the solar resource library." When you add a weather file to the solar resource library, SAM adds data to a special file that stores location information for all of the files in the library to display on the Location and Resource page.

When you use a the "Use a specific weather file on disk" check box, SAM does not add the file to the solar resource library, so it cannot display the location data. That is because of the way SAM works: The user interface does not open the weather file, it only opens the special library file I mentioned above. SAM only opens the weather file itself during the simulation.

To display the location data from your EPW (or any other file), you should add it to the solar resource library. Here's how:

On the location and resource page, click the "Folder settings" button, and then add the folder that contains your EPW file to the list of Solar Data File folders. That will cause SAM to add any weather files in the folder to the library. When you click OK, SAM will go through each file in the folder, read its location data, and add it to the library file so that it can display the location data on the Location and Resource page, and in the PDF report.

Once your file is in the library, you will be able to choose it from the library list.

Best regards,
Paul.