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A low‐cost photovoltaic emulator for static and dynamic evaluation of photovoltaic power converters and facilities
Author(s) -
GonzálezMedina Raúl,
Patrao Iván,
Garcerá Gabriel,
Figueres Emilio
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/pip.2243
Subject(s) - photovoltaic system , maximum power point tracking , converters , power (physics) , maximum power principle , solar micro inverter , buck converter , electronic engineering , computer science , grid connected photovoltaic power system , electrical engineering , engineering , voltage , automotive engineering , inverter , physics , quantum mechanics
In testing maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms running on electronic power converters for photovoltaic (PV) applications, either a PV energy source (PV module or PV array) or a PV emulator is required. With a PV emulator, it is possible to control the testing conditions with accuracy so that it is the preferred option. The PV source is modeled as a current source; thus, the emulator has to work as a current source dependent on its output voltage. The proposed emulator is a buck converter with an average current mode control loop, which allows testing the static and dynamic performance of PV facilities up to 3 kW. To validate the concept, the emulator is used to evaluate the MPPT algorithm of a 230‐W experimental microinverter working from a single PV module. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.