Photovoltaic simulator boosts rack-space power density 50%
San Diego, CA. AMETEK Programmable Power has expanded its Elgar Terrestrial Solar Array Simulators (TerraSAS) line of standalone photovoltaic (PV) simulators.
With the newest Embedded TerraSAS (ETS), users can now test isolated and nonisolated string inverters with voltages (Voc) up to 1,000 VDC and currents (Isc) up to 15 A, resulting in a 50% increase in output power compared with the prior 1000X ETS model. The new ETS1000Y is available in three configurations: 5 kW, 1,000 VDC at 5 A; 10 kW, 1,000 VDC at 10 A; and 15 kW, 1,000 VDC at 15 A.
The TerraSAS PV simulator consists of an agile high-performance, programmable DC power supply with control software and GUI interface, high output isolation, and a unique embedded PV simulation engine that provides the I-V curve in a single standalone unit. The power supplies in the TerraSAS PV simulators are typically ten times faster than standard power supplies, allowing users to test even the most advanced solar inverters.
In addition, the new ETS now offers improved overvoltage protection (OVP) and overcurrent protection (OCP). This allows the device to be used for sensitive simulation applications without tripping, such as inverter testing in electrically noisy environments.
AMETEK Programmable Power developed the TerraSAS line for testing microgrid, energy-storage, and inverter test applications. The TerraSAS series photovoltaic (PV) simulators are specifically designed to emulate the dynamic electrical behavior of a terrestrial PV solar array. They offer low output capacitance and high closed-loop bandwidth to keep up with the advanced maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms used in today’s grid-tied inverters.
The new ETS versions can be configured to use a 3-phase AC input voltage of 187 to 242 VAC, 342 to 440 VAC, or 396 to 528 VAC. Output voltage noise is less than 0.6 Vpp, and output current noise is less than 200 mApp.
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