SolarScope vs SAM (NREL): Complete 2026 Comparison
AI-powered commercial site analysis vs NREL's powerful free research simulation tool.
Overview
SAM (System Advisor Model) is NREL's flagship open-source renewable energy simulation tool. It models performance and financial returns for solar, wind, battery storage, and other systems with a level of detail used by researchers, national labs, and universities worldwide. SAM supports complex financial structures including PPAs, sale-leaseback, and partnership flip transactions. It's free, but demands significant time to learn — new users typically need days of training for basic workflows, and weeks for advanced features.
SolarScope is a cloud-based AI solar analysis platform designed for commercial productivity. Using the same NREL irradiance data that powers SAM, SolarScope adds an AI assistant, map-based site interface, grid infrastructure layers, and instant financial estimates — enabling solar professionals to assess any site in minutes without simulation expertise. Priced at $99–299/year.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | SolarScope | SAM (NREL) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use Case | Commercial site screening & feasibility | Research & detailed techno-economic modeling |
| AI Assistant | ✓ GPT-4o AI with site context | ❌ None |
| Learning Curve | Minutes — intuitive interface | Days to weeks |
| Speed to Analysis | Under 5 minutes per site | Hours per simulation |
| Cloud-Based | ✓ Browser-based, no install | ❌ Desktop app (Windows/Mac) |
| Financial Modeling Depth | Standard ITC, payback, NPV | PPA, sale-leaseback, partnership flip |
| Grid Infrastructure Data | ✓ Hosting capacity, transmission | ❌ Not included |
| Annual Cost | $99–299/year | Free |
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Choose SAM if:
- You're a researcher, academic, or national lab engineer
- You need detailed LCOE, PPA, or partnership flip financial modeling
- You require batch analysis across many scenarios or weather datasets
- You're conducting policy analysis or peer-reviewed research
- You have the time and technical background to learn the interface
- Cost is your primary constraint — SAM is free
Choose SolarScope if:
- You're a commercial solar developer, consultant, or installer
- You need to screen sites quickly and make go/no-go decisions fast
- You want AI-guided analysis without simulation expertise
- You need grid connectivity, flood zone, and infrastructure data
- Your workflow involves multiple sites and tight timelines
- You want immediate productivity from day one
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SolarScope | SAM (NREL) |
|---|---|---|
| AI Assistant | ✓ GPT-4o with site-specific context | ❌ None |
| Solar Irradiance Data | NREL NSRDB via real-time API | TMY file import (NREL, Meteonorm) |
| Map-Based Interface | ✓ Interactive map with data overlays | ❌ Form-based input only |
| Grid Infrastructure | ✓ Hosting capacity, transmission lines | ❌ Not included |
| PV Performance Modeling | Performance ratio estimate | ✓ Detailed PVWatts + SAM PV model |
| Financial Analysis | ITC, payback, NPV, LCOE estimate | PPA, SAL, partnership flip, detailed IRR |
| Battery Storage Modeling | ❌ Not included | ✓ Detailed battery dispatch modeling |
| Batch Analysis | ❌ Single-site per analysis | ✓ Parametric and batch simulation |
| Flood Zone Data | ✓ FEMA data integrated | ❌ Not included |
| Open Source | ❌ Proprietary | ✓ Fully open source |
The Data Foundation: Both Use NREL
An important point of commonality: both SolarScope and SAM use NREL irradiance data as their primary solar resource input. SolarScope queries NREL's NSRDB API directly in real time when you analyze a site. SAM uses NREL TMY (Typical Meteorological Year) weather files, which are derived from the same NSRDB satellite data.
This means the underlying solar resource data is comparable between the two tools for US locations. The key difference is how that data is used: SolarScope provides instant AI-guided analysis; SAM enables detailed simulation requiring weather file downloads and configuration.
Pricing Comparison
| SolarScope | SAM (NREL) | |
|---|---|---|
| License Cost | $99–299/year | Free (open source) |
| Time Cost to First Analysis | Under 5 minutes | Days to learn + hours per analysis |
| Training Required | None | Significant (NREL offers webinars) |
| Windows Required | No — any browser | Windows or macOS |
SAM is free in license cost, but time is a resource too. For commercial solar professionals where analysis speed matters, SolarScope's $99/year pays for itself on the first site evaluation where AI-guided analysis saves hours of SAM setup time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SAM hard to use?
Yes. SAM has a steep learning curve. NREL offers free training webinars that take several hours to complete. Running a complete simulation requires configuring weather data files, system parameters, financial structures, and loss factors. For commercial users who need speed, this investment is often not justified for early-stage site screening.
Does SolarScope use the same models as SAM?
SolarScope uses NREL NSRDB irradiance data — the same satellite-derived dataset underlying SAM's TMY weather files. SolarScope's production estimates use industry-standard performance ratios consistent with SAM's PVWatts simplified model. SolarScope does not implement SAM's detailed engineering models (e.g., complex string-level losses), which is appropriate for feasibility-level screening.
Can I use both SAM and SolarScope in the same workflow?
Yes — and this is a natural combination. Use SolarScope for rapid site screening and AI-guided feasibility (minutes per site). Then run SAM on the 1–2 sites that pass feasibility for detailed techno-economic analysis, including LCOE and complex financial structures. This hybrid approach maximizes both speed and analytical depth.
Is SAM NREL good for commercial solar developers?
SAM is valuable for commercial developers who need LCOE modeling, PPA pricing, and detailed financial analysis. However, its steep learning curve and lack of map-based site assessment tools make it less practical for rapid site screening workflows. Most commercial developers use easier tools for feasibility and reserve SAM for advanced financial modeling on selected projects.
Does SAM have location-based data like SolarScope?
SAM requires you to download and import weather files (TMY3, TMY2, or EPW format) for each location you want to analyze. SolarScope automatically fetches NREL irradiance data when you pin a location on the map — no file management required. This makes SolarScope significantly faster for location-based analysis.
The Bottom Line
SAM (NREL) is an irreplaceable tool for researchers, engineers, and analysts who need deep techno-economic modeling, complex financial structures, and batch analysis capabilities — and who have the time and expertise to use it effectively. Being free and open-source makes it uniquely valuable for academic and policy work.
SolarScope brings NREL's data quality to commercial solar professionals who need fast, AI-guided site analysis. For site screening, feasibility assessment, and go/no-go decisions, SolarScope's AI assistant and instant analysis dramatically outperform SAM's traditional simulation workflow in speed and usability.
The best approach for many teams: SolarScope for rapid commercial screening, SAM for detailed techno-economic analysis on selected projects.
Try SolarScope Free
NREL-backed AI site analysis in under 5 minutes. No installation or weather file downloads.
Works immediately. No SAM training required.