The design and performance of an 11 kW Solar Array Simulator

Abstract

A Solar Array Simulator combines a high efficiency switching regulator, a high performance series regulator, and a low power analog adjustable I–V generator to duplicate the static and dynamic characteristics of photovoltaic cells operated in series-parallel combinations. Both voltage and current feedback are used to control the switching and series regulators. Stability of the series regulator over a wide range of load time constants is achieved by a compensation technique of Roberge(3). Current-voltage and transient response characteristics of the Simulator are presented. The device was also operated into a 10 kw inverter designed for photovoltiac applications.