Region
North America
Sectors and Themes
Energy
Scale
Project-Level
Expertise Level
Practitioner
Resource Type
Analysis Tools
Guidance
Inputs Needed
installation costs
number of modules and inverters
Analysis period
Tax and cash incentives
number of modules and inverters
Analysis period
Tax and cash incentives
Outputs Provided
Performance models
Financial models
Financial models
Language
English
Developer or Source
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Based on specification that users enter, the System Advisor Model (SAM) estimates the performance and cost of energy estimates for grid-connected systems. SAM also models projects both from the consumer side of the meter and utility side. It is based on technology databases developed by NREL. It conducts financial models for residential, commercial and utility-scale projects. It is best suited for project managers and engineers, policy analysts, technology developers, and researchers.