Software calculates array voltage for PV connected electronics

5th October 2016

Caroline Hayes

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Photovoltaic Power Profile Emulation (PPPE) software automatically calculates solar array voltage and current profiles based on user-defined parameters. The profiles can be sequentially sent to a Magna-Power Electronics power supply, which will emulate defined characteristics. The user can define a limitless number of profiles to be emulated and sequenced over a given time period.

Design and production validation for PV-connected electronics requires a PV emulating power source with flexible output characteristics. Inverters and specialised DC/DC converters employ maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control algorithms to maximise non-linear energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines.

Using PV arrays for validation is costly with uncontrolled source characteristics, but by using a power supply with user-programmable output characteristics, the user can evaluate the full range of power conditions, says the company.

After the profile is defined, it can be transferred to the power supply for either static or dynamic emulation. A time-dependent parameter defines how long the power supply should emulate that profile before loading the next profile in the sequence.

The user can emulate a power profile automatically, based on solar array parameters, automatically based on solar array parameters or manually.