User Manual

3.7 PV Simulation
Typically, a solar array is connected to an inverter, which converts the panel’s output from DC to
AC. Due to varying environmental conditions and the nonlinear output of solar cells, many
inverters use a maximum power point tracking mechanism to maximize the power generated from
the solar panel. Using an actual solar array to test inverters is not cost-effective and
environmental conditions are difficult to control in this scenario.
The MR power supply can simulate the output of a solar array with its solar array simulator (SAS)
function. Combined with the SAS application software, users can simulate the I-V curve of
different arrays under various irradiance conditions while measuring and validating the
effectiveness of the inverter’s MPPT algorithm.
Figure 3.11 – PV Simulation Curve
Solar arrays consist of multiple solar cells characterized by a complex voltage and current profile
that is represented in an I-V curve. The I-V curve of a solar array can be generated automatically
or manually using one of the following two methods:
a) Automatically generate the I-V curves by specifying the type of regulation for testing, and
the material types such as cSi and TF. The software supports testing against EN50530,
SANDIA, and NB/T32004 regulation standards. Up to 101 sets of curve parameters can
be created and downloaded to the MR supply’s non-volatile memory or entered directly
from the front panel. Based on these input parameters, the power supply will then
automatically calculate the I-V profile.
b) Manually generate the I-V curve by creating a user-defined table of points in the SAS
software. Up to 4096 I-V points can be downloaded to the MR supply’s non-volatile
memory.