Testing Terrestrial Solar-Powered Inverters Using Solar Array Simulation Techniques
by no author specified, Vendor website, Jun 01 2009
Focus:
A solar power inverter typically must perform maximum power point (MPP) tracking of a solar (photovoltaic) module or solar array. Since MPPs vary depending on the module or array used, and also vary with operating conditions, a newly developed inverter must be tested across a range of MPPs and module operating points. Because it may be impractical to try and reproduce all these conditions with an actual solar module or array, solar array simulators have been developed. This 7-page application note describes the use of Agilent's E4360 solar array simulator to produce the range of module and array conditions required to test a solar power inverter's ability to track MPP, measure inverter efficiency, verify its ability to generate grid-level output at input voltage extremes, verify inverter performance under varying environmental conditions for qualification purposes, perform accelerated lifecycle tests, and perform certification tests. The E4360's three modes for simulating solar module I-V characteristics are explained and some measurement guidelines are given.
What you’ll learn:
- How to simulate performance of a solar power module or array to test maximum power point tracking (MPP) capabilities of a solar power inverter using Agilent's E4360 solar array simulator (overview)
- How to test performance and perform qualification, lifecycle, and certification tests of a solar power inverter using Agilent's E4360 solar array simulator (overview)
Notes:
Agilent Technologies has also produced an on-demand webcast on this subject, which you must register (at their website) to download.
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