Design and Fabrication of Photovoltaic Simulator

Mandip Luitel
Masters in Electrical Power
Engineering (ongoing)
Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel,
Nepal
Email:mandip_gms@hotmail.com
Mandip Pokharel
Masters in Electrical Power
Engineering (ongoing)
Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel,
Nepal
Email:mandippokharel@gmail.com
Grishma Ojha
Masters in Electrical Power
Engineering (ongoing)
Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel,
Nepal
Email:gap_ojha@hotmail.com




AbstractWith the ever increasing demand for electricity, newer
methods need to be adopted to meet the demand. The use of
renewable technologies has been productive and effective so far
in an effort to mitigate the worldwide energy crisis. Furthermore
the need to adopt cleaner ways to generate electricity for
sustainable development has impelled the research on renewable
sources. Numerous research and development works have taken
place to ensure maximum efficiency from the existing system.
Presently photovoltaic (PV) has an efficiency of around 19% [1].
There is a dire need to increase the efficiency of the PV system so
that greater amount of energy can be harnessed from the existing
system.
The proposed PV simulator replicates the IV characteristics of
the PV panel for the desired characteristics. Henceforth to carry
out researches related to PV, such as maximum power point
tracking, it can prove to be a handy tool. One major disadvantage
in researches regarding PV is the unfavorable weather condition
which proves to be a hindrance to the experiment. To overcome
this, the PV simulator will prove to be a massive advantage as the
characteristics can be obtained as desired as it can act as PV cell.

I. INTRODUCTION
Photovoltaic (PV) is a renewable technology with highest
theoretical potential having the main source of energy as Sun
radiation onto the Earth surface. In the PV generator, occurs the
conversion of the incident radiation into electrical energy
occurs by means of the photoelectric effect. This occurs when
doped semiconductors of the main group IV of the periodic
table of the elements generate charge carriers when they are
irradiated with light [2]. All solar cell modules are rated
according to the maximum output defined as the amount of
power a solar cell module can be expected to deliver at noon on
a sunny day when it is facing directly towards the sun at
standard test conditions. The power output of a module
depends on the number of cells in the module, type of cells,
total surface area of the cells, the amount of solar radiation, and
the angle of module with respect to the sun and the temperature
of the module.
The paper mainly deals with the construction and
fabrication of a simulator that would represent the I-V
characteristics of the PV panel of the required specification.
This will be a miniature representation of the PV panel that can
be used for further experiments regarding the PV panel. The
primary advantage of the simulator is that it is portable and can
be used to test inverters and perform experiment related to
maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Also the cost of the
module is much lower than the PV panel setup itself. In order
to carry out the experiments regarding PV, favorable
environment conditions need not be sought for as the simulator
will provide the characteristics as provided by the real PV
panel.
II. PV SIMULATOR
Fig.1 represents the block diagram of the PV simulator [3].
Diodes are connected in series to increase their overall forward
blocking voltage to a desired level, i.e. the open circuit voltage
of the PV panel. A high value of parallel resistance (i.e. in the
range of 30k) is connected across the diode. The high value
of parallel resistance causes a small current to flow through it.
It models the leakage current on the edges of the p-n junction
[3].










Figure 1. Block Diagram of the designed PV simulator

Resistance
to
represent
leakage
Arrayof
Diodes
inSeries
Variable
Load
Constant
Current
Source
Contact
Resistors
A contact resistor of small values (typically in the range of
20m) is connected in series to the load. The variable load is
used to vary the current flowing through the load in order to
tain the required IV characteristics.

III. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
The diode for the construction of PV simulator was chosen
based on the following criteria:
Forward Blocking Voltage (V
f
) of the diode
Cost of Diode
Temperature dependence on the Diodes
forward Blocking voltage.

Heat Sink is required in the PV simulator so the heat
generated from the diodes can be dissipated and the junction
temperature is maintained at a level required by the design as
the forward blocking voltage changes with change in junction
temperature. The additional heat needs to be dissipated so that
the diodes do not get damaged due to the excessive heating.
Figure2 shows the required thermal resistance of the heat sink
to maintain a certain junction temperature of the diode.
For design considerations, the heat sink is modeled as
electrical circuit equivalent where heat energy behaves as
electric current, temperature rise as the thermal equivalent of
voltage drop and the thermal resistance defined by the property
of the material [4].












Figure 2. Graph to calculate the Heat sink Thermal resistance

Isolation pad is required between the diodes (with metal
cap) and heat sink so that diodes do not get shorted against
each other through the heat sink. The thermal resistance of the
isolation pad should be incorporated while calculating the
required thermal resistance of the heat sink.

IV. RESULTS AND OBSERVATION:
The simulator having the open circuit voltage of 21.9V and
short circuit current of 6A has been designed. Figure 3 shows
the IV characteristics and power curve obtained from the
simulator for 6A source.



)





a)






b)
Figure 3. a) IV characteristics of the PV simulator for the 6 amp source
b) Power curve from the simulator for the 6 amp source

Similarly the characteristic for the 5A source from the
simulator can be obtained. The characteristics curve can be as
shown in Figure 4.







a)






REFERENCES
REFERENCE


[1] http://www.brighterenergy.org/9715/news/solar/sunpower-offers-
solar-modules-boasting-19-efficiency/
[2] Hankins Mark, Solar Electric Systems for Africa, Agrotech and
Commonwealth Science Council, June 1995
[3] Schulz Detlef, Jahn Matthias, Pfeifer Thomas, Grid Integration of
Photovoltaics and Fuel Cells, Springer-Verlag London Limited,
2008.
[4] Electus Distribution Reference Data Sheet, Electus Distribution, 2001


b)
Figure 4. a) IV characteristics of the PV simulator for the 5 amp source
b) Power curve from the simulator for the 5 amp source

V. CONCLUSION

The PV simulator was tested with a constant current source
of 5Amp and 6Amp. The data and graph for the simulator
with 5Amp and 6Amp resembled the characteristic of the
actual PV panel. This kind of simulator would prove to be
handy for experimental purpose due to its cost effectiveness,
portable nature and indifference towards environmental
constraints.