Working with Files and Cases

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This topic describes SAM 3.0 and has not been revised for SAM 2009 Beta.

You may find useful information, especially if you are new to SAM, but some of the information may be inconsistent with the new version.

A Solar Advisor file contains one or more cases. A case is a complete set of input data and results that represents a single system design. Solar Advisor displays different cases on tabs in the same way that spreadsheets are displayed in an Excel workbook. By creating more than one case in a file, you can easily compare the assumptions and results of different analysis scenarios. For example, you could use cases to compare the cost and performance of a residential photovoltaic system in several locations by defining a separate case for each location, or you could compare a utility-scale photovoltaic and concentrating solar power systems.

There are three commands that you can use to manage cases:

•Duplicate: Creates a copy of the active case, with a duplicate set of input parameters and results.
•Delete: Deletes the active case.
•Rename: Allows you to edit the name that appears on the case tab.

To view the case commands:

•Right-click a case tab or click the Case menu.

SS_menu-case

Solar Advisor File Formats

Solar Advisor saves files in three formats: SAM, ZIP, and SCIF:

•SAM is the standard format and saves all input variables and for each case in the file. Typical SAM files sizes range from 5 to 10 MB.
•ZIP is a compressed archive that contains the SAM file and any workbooks linked to the file. ZIP files range in size from 500 KB to 1.5 MB.
•SCIF (SAM compressed inputs file) is a compressed archive that contains only input variables for one or more cases, but does not include linked workbooks or weather data. If you plan to email a file that is linked to a workbook in SCIF format, you can email the workbook along with the file.  SCIF files range in size from tens to hundreds of kilobytes.

Solar Advisor can open files in two formats: SAM and SCIF. To open a ZIP file, use a file compression utility program. You can also import one or more cases from a SCIF file into an open SAM file by using the Import Case(s) command on the File menu.

Note that weather data is not saved in any of these formats. If your SAM file uses a weather file that is not included in the standard SAM distribution and you plan to send the file with someone else, you should send the weather file along with the SAM file.