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2.7kW Photovoltaic Simulator
This project involves the design, development, and verification of a photovoltaic (PV) simulator. This DC-DC converter allows a standard power supply to emulate the I-V characteristics of an actual PV panel. This is necessary in order to verify the accuracy of certain maximum power point tracking algorithms. The system takes advantage of a two-stage output filter in order to enhance dynamic response while maintaining high ripple attenuation. The control circuitry utilizes an analog equivalent circuit to generate the appropriate reference values.
Key Advantages: Power stage uses a switch-mode dc-dc converter to allow high voltage and/or high current output. Output voltage and current follow the reference curve precisely with desired conversion ratios by the use of a PID controller. Reasonably fast output response without distortion under 40-Hz irradiance perturbation. No need to provide the light source for different irradiance level testing because of the use of voltage-controlled current-source. A two-stage LC filter allows ripple-free output and high cut-off frequency for fast loop bandwidth design. Simple and low cost implementation for PV equivalent circuit and power-stage of the dc-dc converter.
PV Simulator Prototype
PV Simulator System Block Diagram
PV Simulator Control Block Diagram
PV Simulator Equivalent Circuit
PV Simulator IV Characteristic Curve
This project is discussed in the following papers: A. Koran, K. Sano, R.-Y. Kim, and J.-S. Lai, "Design of a Photovoltaic Simulator with a Novel Reference Signal Generator and Two-Stage LC Output Filter," IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 1331 - 1338, May 2010. A. Koran, K. Sano, R.-Y. Kim, and J.-S. Lai, "Design of a Photovoltaic Simulator with a Novel Reference Signal Generator and Two-Stage LC Output Filter," in IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition Conf., 2009, pp. 319 - 326.

2.7kW Photovoltaic Simulator