Several issues with recent version 11.30

It's been a while since I've used SAM due to what I felt were some serious errors in the spreadsheets. I emailed support but never received an answer back. I couldn't get it to work with some of my projects so I stopped using it. With that being said, I was excited to try the latest version. If any of these issues are addressed elsewhere, please let me know. I can honestly say that I'm lacking experience lately.

1. When I used the Solar Wizard, sometimes the Output matrix doesn't show up. I can kinda make out the word Output, but the space between that and the Input matrix is blank. This doesn't happen on every one. More residential. As I test it further, I'll see if I can figure out what is different, if anything.

2. I created one large commercial PV system - 800k at $1.93/watt. I was able to go into SAM's detailed analysis and play with the numbers a little. The payback term doesn't show up in the matrix to the lower left. So I exported to Excel with calculations and almost nothing was correct. The generation numbers matched the SAM file, but the rest was from some sample data. I assumed that the spreadsheet would have the same data (cost, financing debt %, tax credits, etc.) but mine didn't. It didn't carry over the system price, the loan %, and I'm not sure what else is missing or incorrect. The system price was at $30,000 (a bargain for an 800k). So I adjusted that number. Then I had to change the debt percent. I had 60% in SAM but it showed 40% in Excel. I also had to correct the term and I may have changed the interest rate too. After making those changes to match SAM, the spreadsheet did update, but it's still considerably off from the SAM model. The SAM model had a cash flow for year 1 of $500k+, but the Excel version has it at $371k+. (Sorry, I closed the file and am going by memory here.)

3. I also just ran the Solar Wizard with the same 800k, $1.93/watt price and then opened in SAM and the total price per watt was $0.83/watt. I am not sure if that was a fluke or not because when I ran it again it worked fine. I'm only posting this to see if anyone else notices that and thinks they are losing it.

I did have trouble installing the program initially. I was getting a dll error. I rebooted my machine and the installation went smoothly.

So far these are the only two major and one minor issue I've noticed, but I just started using it today. Is this something I have set wrong at my end?

Hello,

Thank you for this feedback, and I'm sorry we did not respond to your email before.

1. There are some rendering issues with the Solar Wizard that we are aware of. However, I was not able to replicate the scenario you describe where part of the table on the last page is hidden. If you see that again, could you send us a screenshot and perhaps a copy of the .zsam file?

2. SAM does not report a payback period for the financing models that involve a PPA price (Commercial PPA, Utility IPP, and advanced utility options). It only reports a payback period for the Residential and Commercial financing options where the renewable energy system's output displaces a building load. As for the Excel workbook with calculated values, again, in my testing, the values in the workbook match the values in SAM. Some of the values are slightly different because of differences in rounding between Excel and SAM (for example, in my test, SAM reports an IRR of 15.00% while the workbook shows a value of 14.97%.), but I don't see any values that appear to be incorrect, and my debt fraction of 40% in SAM appears as 40% in the workbook.

3. Again, I could not replicate this situation.

If you continue to see these problems, please reply with a copy of the .zsam and Excel files attached to help me troubleshoot.

Best regards,
Paul.

I can do that. My first question is how to calculate a commercial system WITHOUT the PPA option. I'm looking to sell directly to the end-user. When I use the Wizard, I don't see an option that is buy only and I can't see an option in SAM either. Am I totally missing it?

The Solar Wizard allows you to choose from just three of the eight financial model options available in SAM.

To see the complete list of models in SAM, either create a new case in your file (on the Case menu, click Create Case), or create a new file (File, New). With either of those options, SAM displays a complete list of performance and financial models for you to choose from.

For more instructions with screenshots, see the Getting Started chapter in the SAM Help system, which is available from the Help system, or on the Web here:

SAM Help: Start a Project

You can also change the financial option in your current case by clicking the Select Technology and Market button in the toolbar at the top of the window just under the case tabs.

Best regards,
Paul.