Photovoltaic array simulators for improved solar power production

To help engineers develop, verify and maximize the performance of inverter maximum power point tracking algorithms and circuits, Keysight Technologies has introduced two new photovoltaic array simulators, the N8937APV and the N8957APV. Engineers need to ensure their solar inverters are capable of converting maximum power from the solar array to which they are connected. Developing and verifying the performance of inverter maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms and circuits is challenging. MPPT algorithms are complex, and under-the-sun testing with a comprehensive set of temperature and irradiance conditions is difficult, expensive and time consuming. "Small increments in power production have a dramatic effect on the profitability of solar power generation," said Kari Fauber, general manager of Keysight's Power and Energy Division. "Keysight's new PV array simulators help engineers capture as much energy as possible from their inverters, to improve the economics of solar power generation." Engineers can use the new Keysight N8937APV and N8957APV photovoltaic array (PV) simulators in a laboratory or on a manufacturing line to simulate the output characteristics of a real-world photovoltaic array. The N8937/57APV PV array simulators are autoranging, single-output, programmable DC power sources that can quickly simulate I-V curve characteristics under different environmental conditions (temperature, irradiance, age, cell technology and more), enabling engineers to quickly and comprehensively test their inverters. The N8937/57APV PV array simulators provide stable output power, built-in voltage and current measurements and autoranging output voltage and current from 500 to 1,500V and 10 to 30A. The autoranging capability makes the units more flexible than traditional rectangular-output power supplies because they expand the power curve to provide more voltage and current combinations. In addition to using the N8937/57APV units to simulate PV arrays, engineers can use them for other test and measurement tasks. They provide 15-kW autoranging, programmable DC power for design verification and ATE applications that require just the right amount of performance at an affordable price. Engineers can easily configure multiple units in parallel to create a single power supply that offers more than 90kW of power, says the company.