Better Cost Estimates Build Better Systems: NREL Updates SAM Wave and Tidal Tools Feb. 1, 2021 More than 35,000 people from industry and academia are in on the SAM secret. The System Advisor Model (SAM) is an open-source software that combines performance and financial analysis for a suite of renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaics, wind, geothermal, marine energy, and more. Since its launch in 2007, new SAM versions have been released yearly, adding to the collection of technologies and financing options it can accommodate. Check out the open-source marine energy SAMs to help your next wave or tidal energy project set sail. Photo by Ian Gagnon, U.S. Department of Energy