Libraries

A library is a text file of comma-separated values (CSV) that stores sets of data associated with a SAM input in the libraries folder of your SAM installation folder. SAM displays the library contents in a library browser where you choose an item from the library to populate values of a set of input variables. For example, the detailed photovoltaic model uses a library to store inverter parameters. By choosing an inverter name, you populate the 16 input variables required to specify an inverter using the CEC inverter model.

Note

In addition to the parameter libraries shown in the table below, SAM also creates libraries as temporary files on your computer to store information about your wind and solar resource data files. For more about weather file libraries, see Weather Files and Libraries.

You can find copies of the SAM library CSV files at NatLabRockies/SAM.

Name	Description	Model	Source
CEC Inverters	Photovoltaic inverters	Detailed photovoltaic	California Energy Commission
CEC Modules	Photovoltaic modules	Detailed photovoltaic	California Energy Commission
Empirical Trough HCEs	Parabolic trough receivers	Empirical trough	NLR
Empirical Trough Power Cycles	Power block parameters for parabolic trough	Empirical trough	NLR
Empirical Trough SCAs	Parabolic trough collectors	Empirical trough	NLR
Marine Energy Tidal Conerter	Tidal energy converters	Marine energy - tidal	NLR
Marine Energy Wave Converter	Wave energy converters	Marine energy - wave	NLR
Physical Trough Collectors	Parabolic trough collectors	Physical trough	NLR
Physical Trough Receivers	Parabolic trough receivers	Physical trough	NLR
Sandia Modules	Photovoltaic modules	Detailed photovoltaic	Sandia National Laboratories
SRCC Collectors	Solar water heating collectors	Solar water heating	Solar Rating and Certification Corporation
TOD Schedules and Factors	PPA price multipliers	All PPA financial models	NLR
Trough Parasitics	Parabolic trough parasitic loads	Empirical trough	NLR
Wind Turbines	Wind turbine power curves	Empirical trough	NLR

Choosing Items from a Library

SAM displays library items in a list. To choose an item from the library, click a row in the list. Depending on the input page, SAM either populates the associated input variables with values from the library, or applies the values after you click an Apply Values from Library button.

Modifying Libraries

For most applications, you do not need to modify libraries. However, if you have reason to modify a library, you can do so by editing the library file with a text editor or spreadsheet program.

Note

If you modify a library, do not change the first three rows of the library file.

Each version of SAM has a separate installation folder. If you modify a library file for one version of SAM, it will only affect that version, and may be deleted when you remove (uninstall) that version.

The library file format is defined as follows:

• Library files use the .csv extension and are stored in the Libraries folder in the SAM Installation Folder.

• The first row of a library file is a list of the labels describing the input variables stored in the library. SAM displays these labels in the library browser. It does not use these labels in calculations.

• The second row is a list of units for each variable in the library that SAM displays in the library browser. SAM does not use the units in calculations.

• The third row is a list of SSC variables in the library. Do not change these values because SAM uses them to identify the values in the library.

• The fourth row is the set of parameters for the first item in the library.

To add an item to a library:

1. In the Libraries folder, open the library you want to modify with a text editor or spreadsheet program. Use the table above to find the library’s name.

2. Add your item after the last row of the library. Be sure to use the same units and conventions as the other items in the library.