Elgar Terrestrial Solar Array Simulators
AMETEK Programmable Power, a leader in programmable AC and DC power test solutions, has expanded its industry-leading Elgar Terrestrial Solar Array Simulators (TerraSAS) line of standalone photovoltaic (PV) simulators. With the newest Embedded TerraSAS (ETS), users can now test isolated and non-isolated 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 to the prior 1000X ETS model. The new ETS1000Y is available in three configurations: [5kW] 1,000 VDC @ 5 A, [10kW] 1,000 VDC @ 10 A and [15kW] 1,000 VDC @ 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 to this industry-leading performance, the new ETS now offers improved Over- Voltage Protection (OVP) and Over-Current 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 microgrids, 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 187-242 VAC, 342-440 VAC, or 396-528 VAC. Output voltage noise is less than 0.6 Vpp, and output current noise is less than 200 mApp.
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