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Article

Solar Module Simulator

A Solution for Testing and Optimizing MPP Trackers and Inverters

Solar Module Simulator
Solar Module Simulator
Solar installations can be seen everywhere today, and many more are planned – both large solar parks and small installations, privately on house roofs. In addition, there are even smaller applications with an output of just a few watts. Inverters or charge controllers with MPP trackers are commonly used to optimize energy yield. Optimization of a system using real light is difficult due to fluctuating conditions. This article describes a simple and inexpensive solar panel simulator that electronically mimics a 50-W solar panel.
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Materials

Component list

Component List

Resistors

Unless specified otherwise:

axial, metal film, 1%, ¼ W 

R1…R4 = 10 k

R2 = 2k7

R5 = 82 k

R6 = 4k7

R7 = wirewound resistor, 0,1 Ω, 5 %, 3 W

R8 = 1 M

R9 = 5k9

R10 = 1k8

R11 = 100 Ω

R12 = 220 Ω

R17 = 1 k

R13 = 1k3

R14 = 715 Ω

R15, R16 = 10 k

R18…R21 = wirewound resistor, axial, 0.33 Ω, 5%, 3 W

R22 = 3k3

R23 = 1k2

R24 = 820 Ω

R25 = 1 k

R26 = 220 Ω

RV1…RV4 = potentiometer, 10 k, 20%, horizontal, linear

 

Capacitors
C1, C2 = 1 µF, 100 V, 10%, MKS2, pitch 5 mm

C3, C4, C6…C8, C10, C11, C13, C15, C16 = 100 nF, 63 V, 10%, MKS2, pitch 5 mm

C5 = 1.000 µF electrolytic, 50 V, low ESR, vertical

C9 = 22 nF, 250 V, 10 %, MKS2, pitch 5 mm

C12 = 47 µF electrolytic, 63 V, vertical

 

Semiconductors

D1 = TL431ACLP, TO92

D2, D3, D6, D8 = 1N4148, DO-35

D11 = Z-diode, 3.9 V / 5 W, DO201

Q2 = N-channel MOSFET as an alternative *

Q5 = MJH6284G, TO247 *

Q7 = IRFP450, TO247 *

Q11 = MJH6287G, TO247 *

Q13 = P-channel MOSFET as an alternative *

U1 = LM358, DIP8

U2 = TL081, DIP8

U3 = 7815, TO220

U4 = 4093, quad NAND Schmitt trigger

 

Miscellaneous

HS1 = heat sink LAM 4, shortened to 30 mm *

HS2 = heat sink LAM 4, shortened to 100 mm *

HS4 = heat sink for TO220, vertical, 18 K/W

J1, J3 = 2-pin screw terminal, pitch 2/10″, angled *

J2 = 3-pin female header, pitch 1/10″

JP1, JP2 = 2-pin header, pitch RM 1/10″, straight

Jumper bar, pitch 1/10″, for JP1 or JP2

Circuit board 240314-01

 

* See text

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