Getting Started
===============

The following procedure describes the basic steps to set up and run a simulation of a project.

.. seealso::

   * :doc:`Financial Models <../introduction/fin_overview>`
   * :doc:`Performance Models <../introduction/technology_options>`

1. Create a project
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When you start SAM, it displays the :doc:`Welcome page <welcome_page>` with several options for creating or opening a file.

To :doc:`create a project <create_project>`, **Start a new project**.

.. image:: ../images/SS_Welcome_CreateNewFile.png
   :align: center
   :alt: SS_Welcome_CreateNewFile.png

2. Choose models
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your project is made up of a :doc:`performance model <../introduction/technology_options>` for the power system and an optional :doc:`financial model <../introduction/fin_overview>` for the project's financial structure.

To :doc:`choose models <../getting-started/choose_models>`, click the performance model name in the list, and then click the financial model that appears in the list to the right:

.. image:: ../images/SS_ChooseModels.png
   :align: center
   :alt: SS_ChooseModels.png

When you choose a financial model, and click **OK**, SAM creates a new file and populates all of the input variables with values from the default values database.

3. Review inputs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After creating your file, open each input page and review the default assumptions.

See :doc:`Input Pages <input_pages>` for details.

4. Run a simulation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To run a simulation, click **Simulate** at the bottom left of the main window.

.. image:: ../images/SS_MainWindow-RunAllSimulationsButton.png
   :align: center
   :alt: SS_MainWindow-RunAllSimulationsButton.png

See :doc:`Run Simulation <../getting-started/run_simulations>` for details.

5. Review results
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When simulations are complete, SAM displays a summary of results in the Metric table.

.. image:: ../images/SS_MetricsTable.png
   :align: center
   :alt: SS_MetricsTable.png

You can display graphs and tables of detailed results data on the :doc:`Results page <results_page>`.