AMETEK Programmable Power, the global leader in programmable AC and DC power test solutions (programmablepower.com), 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 OverVoltage 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.
