Trouble with running SAM from a command batch line

Hello!

Is the question regarding batch line runs ( sam.nrel.gov/content/command-line-batch-run ) outdated and not applicable to the 5.11.2012 version of NREL SAM? Following the exact format of the answer given to that question yields a run of the "Test Script" that produces all lines of code until the "Simulate" function (i.e. the most important one!) and then exits out of the program and makes as if it's done.

Any advice?

Thanks!

You should still be able to run SAM from the command line with SAM 2012.5.11.

Please reply with a copy of your SAM file attached if you would like me to review your file.

Best regards,
Paul.

Hi Paul,

I have identified almost the exact problem that is occurring. I'm running a modified version of the test case that is presented in the advanced PDF tutorial. The function getWeather makes it almost all the way through, but is unable to complete httpdownload(url,local). However, it is able to complete it when I run it directly from SAM.

I'm attaching my file, and I've commented it in way that I hope is helpful to you.

My guess was that it was a problem with directories. For memory purposes, I have the sam.exe in c:\Sam\2012.5.11\sam.exe, and I store weather data and outputs in c:\Users\Jon\SAM\Output\ and the simulation data in c:\Users\Jon\SAM\Output\\. Does this prevent cmd from calling Sam.exe? Is that necessary for httpdownload()? I'm a little bit flummoxed on why httpdownload isn't working. I hope that I've provided enough info for you. Let me know if you need more.

Also, I don't know if this is important or not, but I seem to be missing the samsim.dll that is mentioned earlier on. Was that removed during an upgrade?

Update -- I have not solved the httpdownload problem, but I have wrapped this in a visual basic shell that can enable it to do the httpdownloading for it... thereby circumventing the problem.

I can provide that to anyone who wants it.

The SamUL function httpdownload seems to work correctly in SAM 2012.5.11.

For example, the following script downloads a TMY3 file from the NSRDB website and saves it to a file named test-tmy3-download.csv in the directory that contains the SAM file (save the SAM file before running the script):



Attached is a version of your script modified to help you test the httpdownload function. You provide a zip code, and it translates it to a Solar Prospector grid cell number using the addr2latlon, getweather, and translate functions. (To use the script, after downloading the attached .sul file, create a new SAM file with a PVWatts case named "test" and save it, and then use the Developer menu to create a new script, and click the Load Script from File button the Developer toolbar to open the .sul file.)

Is the problem in your version of the script with how you defined workdir? It's hard for me to test your script verbatim because of the references to specific file path names on your computer.

I hope that helps.

Best regards,
Paul.

Thanks Paul.

I understand. I think it was a problem with directories. Sorry for making you go through that trouble. Your help was very appreciated. Thanks!