Enhancing the accessibility of microgrid design tools for non-expert decision makers: a comparative usability evaluation of SAM and HOMER Grid

Access to reliable and affordable energy is essential for manufacturing facilities, where even brief disruptions can result in significant financial losses. Solar-plus-storage microgrids offer a promising solution by enhancing energy resilience and reducing costs. However, the design and implementation of such systems remain challenging, especially for non-expert users such as building owners and facility managers. This study evaluates the usability and design effectiveness of two widely used microgrid planning tools, System Advisor Model (SAM) and HOMER Grid, through the lens of a novice user. Drawing on energy consumption data from a real manufacturing facility, two use cases are developed and modeled using both tools. The assessment framework is based on the IEEE Standard 1061 for Software Quality Metrics Methodology, emphasizing usability, system functionality, and component selection support. Both tools generate feasible system configurations but lack intuitive, step-by-step workflows and provide limited guidance on selecting photovoltaic modules, battery chemistries, and inverters. SAM provides more detailed modeling support, but its complexity can hinder adoption by non-technical users. We propose improvements to enhance accessibility, including guided design templates, time-aligned system sizing, prioritized input visualization, and integrated component recommendations. These enhancements could be implemented via SAM’s open-source development kit. The findings highlight the importance of usability and decision-support features in accelerating microgrid adoption, particularly for practitioners and facility managers without specialized expertise. Improving accessibility of these tools can directly support faster deployment of renewable microgrids, enhance resilience for commercial and industrial facilities, and contribute to broader decarbonization goals.