Development of a photovoltaic array simulator based on buck convertor

This paper proposes a photovoltaic (PV) array simulator based on the topology of the buck converter and digital control strategy. First of all, a photovoltaic array simulation model is established by analysis of current-voltage characteristic curve of the photovoltaic cell array. To simplify the control model, the output current-voltage simulation curve is piecewise fitted. The buck convertor is controlled by different duty ratio of pulse-width modulation (PWM) and outputs current-voltage curve in line with the fitted curve. Experimental results and simulation results prove the rationality of the design.