Work

Design and Real-Time Control of a Two-Switch Forward Converter-Based Photovoltaic Emulator for Accurate PV System Testing

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This article describes the design, control, and implementation of a photovoltaic (PV) emulator using two-switch forward-converter topology. The system is designed to emulate the nonlinear electrical behavior of an actual PV panel under different environmental conditions including radiation level and temperature. The emulator provides galvanic isolation and also accurate current modulation to provide a safe yet reliable means of testing PV-related devices and algorithms within a laboratory setting. A dual-loop PI control is proposed to adjust the output current according to voltage feedback (VF), thus making accurate I–V and P–V curves achievable. Besides software simulation, a tailored printed circuit board (PCB) was fabricated. The simulation result demonstrated that the system can achieve a fast response and stable operation, with a maximum error percentage of about 2.1%, indicating high emulation fidelity, thereby providing an attractive platform for various evaluation purposes such as MPPT algorithms, inverters, and EMS.

Source: Energies

DOI: 10.3390/en19010190

Authors: Mohamed Lamane, Youness Hakam, Mohamed Tabaa

Institution: École Marocaine des Sciences de l'Ingénieur

Language: English

Topic: Photovoltaic System Optimization Techniques

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137