Solar Array Simulators

Solar array simulators are programmable DC power sources designed to replicate the electrical characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) panels and arrays under varying environmental conditions. Unlike standard power supplies, they model the non-linear current-voltage (I-V) curve of solar cells, allowing engineers to test solar inverters, charge controllers, maximum power point trackers (MPPT), and other PV-connected equipment without requiring physical sunlight or solar panels.

These instruments are essential in renewable energy R&D and manufacturing test, enabling repeatable and fully controllable test conditions. Parameters such as irradiance level, temperature coefficient, open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Isc), and maximum power point (Pmp) can be programmed to simulate virtually any PV array configuration across a wide range of environmental profiles.

Typical Applications

Solar inverter testing: verifying MPPT algorithm performance and efficiency under simulated irradiance profiles
PV charge controller validation: testing battery charging algorithms with programmable array I-V characteristics
Photovoltaic module characterization: I-V curve tracing and maximum power analysis in R&D laboratories
Energy storage integration: testing grid-tied and off-grid systems with realistic PV source profiles
Compliance and certification: verifying inverter behavior under transient conditions to meet grid interconnection standards

Popular Brands

Keysight Technologies dominates this specialty market with its E4360 Solar Array Simulator mainframe and modular E4361A/E4362A output modules, which support multi-string configurations with independent I-V curve programming per channel. Other active manufacturers include Chroma, Ametek Sorensen, and Pacific Power Source.