A low cost solar array simulator using halogen tungsten bulb with temperature control capability

Abstract

This paper proposes a configuration of a low cost solar module simulator (SAS), suitable for basic studies on PV systems. The utilizes the halogen tungsten bulbs as the light source. Furthermore, water tank is placed in between the bulbs and the PV module to control the rise in temperature. The halogen tungsten bulb is powered by DC voltage rectified from a three phase supply. Its light intensity is control by IGBT using high frequency switching. The SAS is capable of generating 1000W/m 2 of irradiation. During the experiment the PV modules temperature dropped about half to 53 o C after using water filters in 15 minutes exposure to the 1000W/m 2 irradiation. To test the capability of the SAS, a case study involving PV system under partial shading is carried out.

Optimal design and experimental test of a solar simulator for solar photovoltaic modules

“…12,13 Gheorghian et al 14 proposed a solar simulator that uses two different lights sources: four floodlights halogen lamps and two lamps arrangements, both of them capable of producing a nonuniformity of irradiance under 10% over an area of 31 × 31 cm 2 . Salam et al 15 developed a solar simulator based on QTH lamps filtering part of the infrared spectrum with a water tank diluted with blue dye placed between the light source and the SPVM. Nevertheless, Salam et al did not indicate the performance parameters of the proposed solar simulator when validating the behavior by means of electrical measurements on the current-voltage plane, usually referred to as IV curve.…”