Conversion of Conventional Switching Mode Power Supply in a Photovoltaic Array Emulator

The paper discusses the development of a solar photovoltaic array emulator based on the conversion of a conventional switching mode power supply. The current-voltage characteristic of the power supply is adjusted according to the photovoltaic array model due to the injection of current into the junction of the feedback voltage divider circuit through an additional resistor. NI data acquisition device and Lab View software are used to build the emulator control system. The photovoltaic array model was implemented into the software algorithm as a look-up table to reduce the processing time and improve the system response. An “off-the-shelf” switching mode power supply having the flyback architecture and 230V ac input was selected for the practical experiment. The proposed approach to emulator development ensures rapid system prototyping at a low cost.