Models and Databases

This topic lists all of SAM’s performance models and describes the component-level models and databases SAM uses.

System Performance Models

The system models represent a complete renewable energy system and were developed by NLR using algorithms from partners listed below.

Model Name	Model Developer
Biomass Combustion	NLR
CSP Generic Model	NLR
CSP Integrated Solar Combined Cycle	NLR
CSP Linear Fresnel Direct Steam	NLR
CSP Linear Fresnel Molten Salt	NLR
CSP Parabolic Trough (Empirical)	NLR
CSP Parabolic Trough (Physical)	NLR, University of Wisconsin
CSP Power Tower Molten Salt	NLR, University of Wisconsin
Energy Storage	NLR
Fuel Cell	NLR
Custom Generation Profile	NLR
Geothermal	NLR, Princeton Energy Resources International
High Concentration PV	NLR
Marine Energy	NLR
Photovoltaic (detailed)	NLR with component models from Sandia National Laboratories and the University of Wisconsin
Photovoltaic (PVWatts)	NLR
Process Heat Linear Fresnel Direct Steam	NLR
Process Heat Parabolic Trough	NLR
Solar Water Heating	NLR
Wind	NLR

Component Performance Models

The detailed photovoltaic and wind power models include options for choosing a component performance model to represent part of the system.

Model Name	Component	Developer
Simple Efficiency Module Model	Photovoltaic module	NLR
CEC Performance Model with Module Data base	Photovoltaic module	University of Wisconsin
CEC Performance Model with User Entered Specifications	Photovoltaic module	Adapted by NLR
Sandia PV Array Performance Model with Module Database	Photovoltaic module	Sandia National Laboratories
Single Point Efficiency Inverter	Inverter	NLR
Sandia Performance Model for Grid Connected PV Inverters	Inverter	Sandia National Laboratories
Wind Turbine Design Model	Wind Turbine	NLR
Wind Power Curve Model	Wind Turbine	NLR

Component Parameter Databases

Some of the component models use a library of input parameters to represent the performance characteristics of the component. The libraries listed below are owned by organizations other than NLR.

Library Name	Component	Owner
CEC Modules	PV module	California Energy Commission
Sandia Inverters	Inverter	Sandia National Laboratories
Sandia Modules	PV module	Sandia National Laboratories

Online Financial Model Data

SAM can automatically download data from the following online databases to populate values on its financial model input pages.

Database Name	Type of Data	Database Manager
OpenEI U.S. Utility Rate Database	Retail electricity prices and rate structures	NLR and Illinois State University

Online Renewable Resource and Weather Data Sources

SAM can automatically download renewable energy resource and weather data from the following online databases.

Database Name	Type of Resource Data	Database Manager
National Solar Radiation Database	Solar and Meteorological	NLR
Wind Integration Datasets	Wind and Meteorological	NLR with 3Tier and AWS Truepower

Solar and Wind Resource Files

SAM comes with a small set of sample weather files for the solar and wind performance models. You can use the download tools on the Location and Resource page to download solar resource data and from the Wind Resource input page to download wind data.