Solar Array Simulation including EN-50530, SANDIA, or Custom Test Profiles

EA Elektro-Automatik’s programmable supplies are rated as low as 1 kW per channel to as high as 2 MW per supply. The maximum output voltage is 2,000 VDC, and there no limit on how many supplies that you can use for this application. In addition, you can program each DC supply independently to simulate different irradiance profiles. For instance, on one inverter input, you can simulate a solar array in full sun, while on another input, you can simulate a solar panel that is partially or completely shaded.

Simply connecting a DC voltage to an inverter does not, however, rigorously test its efficiency. To wring the maximum amount of power from a solar array, MPPT inverters must accurately track the solar array outputs as the amount of sunlight hitting the array changes. To test an inverter’s ability to do this, solar simulation is required, and more often than not, both static and dynamic tests are required.

The PSI Series’ embedded function generator allows you to perform these tests. You can program up to 4096 data points, which allows you to program simple solar array curves based on Isc, Voc, Vmpp and Impp. In essence, you control the sun! If more advanced solar simulation is required, EA Elektro-Automatik’s EA Power Control (EAPC) software allows you to easily set up Sandia, EN50530, or custom test profiles.