Equipment Costs

So SAM produces financials with default equipment cost from its database, I presume???  Where would I plug in actual equipment costs, including panels, inverters, racks and batteries?

Hello,

When you create a new file or case in SAM, all of the inputs in the case are populated with default values. The default case is a sample file to get you started. For example, if you create a Detailed PV / Single Owner case, the default inputs are for an example of a 100 MW system in Phoenix, Arizona with a total installed cost of $1.12/Wdc. You can run a simulation using these default inputs to explore the results and see how the model works before you have data for your own project.

For a Detailed PV or the Detailed PV - Battery case, the inputs for installation costs, including for modules, inverters and batteries are on the Installation Costs page. The inputs for operating costs are on the Operating Costs page. You should change the inputs from their default values as appropriate for your analysis. For some inputs, you can use the default value if an estimate is sufficient for your analysis and you don't have information on which to base changing the value.

The default costs come from the NREL Annual Technology Baseline (ATB) data, which is documented here:  atb.nrel.gov/electricity/2024/technologies .

Best regards,
Paul.

So SAM always uses a historical average construction cost of $1.12 when I select Run Scenario. The only inputs that change the financials are on the input pages i.e. panel specs, inverter specs, weather file and soon on, and there's no way to plug in actual equipment costs and/or bid prices to get more accurate financial?

Hello,

That is incorrect.

For a PV system, you can change the cost on the Installation Costs page. For example, for the default Detailed PV / Single Owner configuration, the module cost of $0.34/Wdc along with other default costs results in a total installed cost of $1.12/Wdc:

 

If you change the module cost, for example, to $0.25/Wdc, the total installed cost changes to $1.02/Wdc:

 

Best regards,
Paul.