Design Of A PV Array Emulator

Solar energy is one of main renewable energy resources. With the real PV modules as test platform in the development of photovoltaic systems, it is hard to perform all-round tests on PV equipment due to the environmental limitations. The PV array emulator, as a new type specific power supply, can emulate the output properties of PV arrays under any working condition by tracking control, so that provides an all-round test platform that reduces the time and improves the efficiency of the products development.Analysis is performed on the mathematical model of solar cell as well as its output property expressed as I-V curves. An engineering algorithm is obtained for the I-V curves represented by explicit equations. The above results functions as the base of the digital PV array emulator.The hardware of the emulator is composed of an 80C552 based controller and a DC/DC, and the dissertation includes a detailed description of the design.On the control strategy, the dissertation introduces the tracking strategy of the working point to approach the I-V curve along the load line.Based on the design described in the dissertation, a PV array emulator may be constructed to exhibit the output property of any type PV module under any working condition, providing an all-round test platform for the PV facilities.