The photovoltaic simulator is designed to study the operation of a standalone photovoltaic system, independent of the mains electricity supply. It uses a photovoltaic panel to collect and convert incident solar radiation into electrical energy for users. The system’s optimal operation is ensured by a battery charge controller and an inverter.
The simulator allows users to analyze the system’s behavior based on the battery charge level, the power demand from users, and the panel’s position. It also provides insights into the effects of disturbances on the system, such as cloud cover or the failure of a photovoltaic cell. For proper functionality, the simulator must be connected to a PC (not included).
Experiments
- Study of solar energy: photovoltaic effect
- Calculation of the average power developed by the sun on a specific place
- Monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon cells
- Energy balance of the panel, efficiency
- Devices for storing energy
- Batteries charge control
Specifications
- Color panel reproducing the photovoltaic system
- Board for data acquisition and control of output signals to the Simulator
- PC connection via USB cable / Ethernet
- 6 potentiometers to simulate the following analog inputs:
- solar radiation
- storage battery charge
- power requested by users
- panel inclination angle (referred to the horizontal surface)
- panel azimuth angle (referred to south direction)
- time of day
- 8 bar graph to simulate the following analog outputs:
- photovoltaic panel voltage
- panel output current
- battery voltage
- current supplied/absorbed by the battery
- current absorbed by the inverter
- solar power incident on the photovoltaic panel
- Power absorbed by users
- system efficiency
- 4 switches to simulate the following digital inputs:
- enabling system operation
- season (summer/winter)
- clouded sky
- breaking of a photovoltaic cell
- 3 Indicators to simulate the following digital outputs:
- alarm for low charge level of the storage battery
- alarm for inverter overload
- battery in charging or discharging phase
- Simulation program of photovoltaic system operation
Power supply:
230 Vac 50 Hz/60Hz single-phase
(Other voltage and frequency on request)
