Measurement method for PV modules based on DC-DC converters with microcontroller

This paper proposes a versatile system to test and measure systematically the real evolution for the I-V characteristic curves of photovoltaic (PV) modules or arrays. The system employs a novel circuit solution based on DC-DC converters that shows several advantages with regard to classical methods: simple structure, scalability, fast response and low cost. The measure of the desired characteristics of photovoltaic modules includes high speed of response and high fidelity. The prototype is governed by a microcontroller and experimental results show the usefulness of the proposed system. Moreover, a user environment has been developed in order to control the overall system from a computer.