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1/28/13 Circuit implements photovoltaic-module simulator | EDN

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Design Ideas

Electronics engineers often use photovoltaic-module simulators to test dc/dc-power converters, inverters, or MPPT (maximum-power-point-

tracking)-control techniques. The use of these simulators lets you work in the laboratory with predefined photovoltaic conditions, thus

avoiding the drawbacks of real photovoltaic modules. Various commercial simulators are available, but they are often expensive.

This Design Idea presents a simple circuit that works as a photovoltaic-module simulator using a dc-voltage source

as its input. The circuit employs the simplest equivalent circuit of a photovoltaic module: a current source in

parallel with a diode. The output of the current source is directly proportional to the irradiance, and the

characteristics of the parallel diode change with temperature.

The current source in Figure 1

operates at a short-circuit current as

high as 2A and employs two MJ15023

power bipolar transistors, Q2 and Q3,

working in the linear region. The

value of the current is proportional to

the transistors base current. You can

control the short-circuit current with

potentiometer R2, whose change in

value forces a variation in Q1scollector current and, thus, the base

current of Q2 and Q3.

The circuit has 50 MUR1520 diodes that connect in series and are in parallel with the current source. You can short-circuit these diodes in

groups of 10, so you can choose the number of series diodes: 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50. If you need more precision, you can increase the

number of diode groups in the simulator, providing more output curves.

Figures 2 and 3 show the current- and power-voltage characteristics of the photovoltaic-module simulator for two current-source values

and a different number of diodes. Extracting these curves required the use of an electronic load ( Reference 1). The short-circuit current of

the simulated module changes, modifying the current-source output value, and, when you connect or disconnect diodes, it varies the

open-circuit voltage of the module. You can use digital circuits to control the simulator to create photovoltaic patterns.

Circuit implements photovoltaic-module simulatorJos M Blanes and Ausis Garrigs, University Miguel Hernndez, Elche, Spain; Edited by Martin Rowe and Fran Granville - April 7, 2011

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7/29/2019 photovoltaic simulator circuit

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1/28/13 Circuit implements photovoltaic-module simulator | EDN

www.edn.com/desig n/analog /4369621/Circuit-implements-photovoltaic-module-simulator

References

1. Ausis Garrigs and Jos M Blanes, Power MOSFET is core of regulated-dc electronic load, EDN, March 17, 2005, pg 92.

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