Research on photovoltaic array simulator based on the PWM rectifier

Photovoltaic power application is developing dramatically. MPPT is the key algorithm in the PV system, and it is comprehensively studied. However, it is difficult to perform MPPT test in laboratory, because the necessary installation area and cost is not usually achievable. It is urgent to develop the photovoltaic (PV) array simulator for designing and research the photovoltaic power generation system to save cost and space. A kind of photovoltaic array simulators based on voltage source PWM rectifier is presented. By the way of PV cells mathematical model, the output characteristics of PV array simulator are corresponded to the output characteristics of the real PV array. By establishing the simulation model of entire system, the output characteristics of PV array simulator and the stability of the entire system combined with PV power generator are analyzed. The results of simulation show characteristics of this kind of PV array simulator, and it can match the output characteristic of PV array well.