Open AccessGraphic computational platform integrated with an electronic emulator dedicated to photovoltaic systems teaching
Author(s) -
Sampaio Leonardo Poltronieri,
Oliveira da Silva Sérgio Augusto
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
iet power electronics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.637
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1755-4543
pISSN - 1755-4535
DOI - 10.1049/iet-pel.2016.1018
Subject(s) - photovoltaic system , emulation , maximum power point tracking , controller (irrigation) , computer science , maximum power principle , voltage , solar cell , electrical engineering , electronic engineering , engineering , economic growth , agronomy , inverter , economics , biology
This study deals with the development of a photovoltaic (PV) electronic emulator (PVEE), operating integrated with a graphic computing platform, for teaching topics related to PV systems in either undergraduate or postgraduate courses. The PVEE is deployed by a DC–DC buck converter to emulate on its output terminals several characteristic curves of a specific PV system, in which climate conditions such as solar irradiation and temperature are taken into account. Emulation of the PV module characteristic curves is embedded in a digital signal controller, which is based on a mathematical model that represents the electric circuit of the PV cell. The educational platform makes possible the following tasks: (i) define and change the PV cell model, (ii) define the number of PV modules, (iii) define and change the solar irradiation and temperature that the PV modules are subjected to, and (iv) visualise voltage and current quantities that are synthesised by the PVEE. From experimental tests, the PVEE is evaluated considering climatic variations involving solar irradiation, temperature, and load transients, whose purpose is to validate the theoretical development. Furthermore, the DC–DC boost converter is employed to perform the maximum power point tracking. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system.