Modeling and control of a flexible photovoltaic array simulator

Photovoltaic (PV) systems have gained prominence in the current context of distributed generation systems. The fundamental element of a PV grid-connected systems is the power converter. Power converters must be tested and certified according to the international standards, before being commercialized. Therefore, a flexible equipment to test the converters is necessary. This paper presents the modeling and control structure of a solar array simulator (SAS) of 10 kW for testing power converters. The limitations of conventional structures are pointed out and an improved structure based on two converter stages is proposed. The feasibility of the proposed SAS is shown through simulations using the Matlab/Simulink. The simulator is tested for the system connected to resistive loads and to a photovoltaic converter model. The dynamical behavior is evaluated through solar irradiance variations and partial shadowing tests. The results of the proposed structure show flexibility and good levels of power quality.