Chroma adds 2-kW solar-array simulator
July 15, 2014. Chroma Systems Solutions Inc., a provider of power-conversion testing equipment and automated systems, has announced the release of the new 62020H-150S 150-V/40-A/2-kW PROGRAMMABLE DC Power Supply with Solar Array Simulation (SAS). This new 2-kW model is an addition to Chroma’s line of programmable DC power supplies designed specifically for PV inverter testing.
The latest 62000H-S series programmable SAS power supply released by Chroma provides simulation of Voc (open circuit voltage) up to 150 V and Isc (short circuit current) up to 40 A. The 62000H-S provides an industry leading power density in a small 2U high package. The solar array simulator is highly stable with a fast transient response, both advantageous to MPPT performance evaluation of PV inverter devices.
Advantages of the 62000H-S series include high speed and precise digitizing measurement circuits with a 100-kHz A/D, 25-kHz D/A controlled I-V curve and a digital filter mechanism. It can simulate an I-V curve accurately and respond to the mains ripple effect from the PV inverter. In addition, the built-in EN50530/Sandia SAS I-V model in the unit can easily program the Voc, Isc, Vmp, and Imp parameters for I-V curve simulation without a PC controller. To help test the array’s I-V curve output influence of various weather conditions such as irradiation, temperature, rain, and shade, Chroma built in storing of up to 100 I-V curves into the simulator memory, with a programmed time interval range of 1 to 15,000 seconds. This makes it possible to simulate the I-V curve from the early morning to nightfall for PV inverter testing or dynamic I-V curve transient testing. The 62000H-S Series have a built-in 16-bit digital control and precision voltage and current measurement circuits boasting a voltage accuracy of 0.05% + 0.05% FS and a current accuracy of 0.1% + 0.1% FS
When high-power solar array simulation is required, users can parallel up to ten 15-kW units in a master/slave configuration to provide up to 150 kW with current sharing and synchronized control signals. With Chroma’s smart master/slave control mode, the master scales values and downloads data to slave units so the programming is as simple as using a standalone unit.
The 62000H-S Series DC power supplies demonstrate easy operation from the front panel keypad or from the remote controller via USB/RS-232/RS-485/APG (standard) and GPIB and Ethernet (optional). Its compact size allows for both bench-top use and standard racking. Chroma also provides softpanels for real-time MPPT analysis and tracking monitoring. Users can enable the data recording function on the soft panel during the static MPPT performance test.