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Emulate solar arrays to elevate inverter designs
Keysight NU2-class benchtop photovoltaic (PV) array simulators include the PV8900 Series. They deliver up to 30 kW of power, or 600 kW with multiple units in parallel, in a 3U rack-mounted form factor to emulate the electrical characteristics of photovoltaic arrays, critical for testing and optimization of solar inverters. The autoranging output accommodates a wide range of voltage and current combinations at full power to simulate various PV array conditions without the need for multiple power supplies. Our PV array simulators also function as a DC power supply, offering features like built-in output lists, data logging, and arbitrary waveform generation. Choose one of our popular configurations or configure one specific to your application.
High-power and scalable
Test up to 2000 V and 30 kW in a single unit, or scale with multiple units to 600 kW for high-capacity string inverter testing in large commercial PV systems.
Autoranging output
Automatically adjusts the output to match load requirements to deliver full power over voltage and current combinations up to 2000 V or 60 A.
DC power supply mode
Delivers up to 30 kW of autoranging DC power with precise voltage / current control and advanced features like output sequencing, data logging, and waveform generation.
Automated testing
Designed to streamline the process of verifying compliance with industry standards, like EN50530, IEC 61853, and IEC 61215.
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Maximum power
20 kW to 30 kW
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Maximum voltage per output
1500 V to 2000 V
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Maximum current per output
30 A to 60 A
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Number of outputs
1
Most popular configurations
NU2-class Photovoltaic Array Simulator, 20 kW, 400/480 VAC
NU2-class Photovoltaic Array Simulator, 30 kW, 400/480 VAC
NU2-class Photovoltaic Array Simulator, 30 kW, 400/480 VAC
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Frequently asked questions
Photovoltaic (PV) array simulators are widely used across various solar energy and renewable energy applications. Their primary use cases include:
- Solar inverter testing: Simulating real-world solar panel behavior to validate the efficiency and performance of grid-tied and off-grid inverters.
- Renewable energy system testing: Evaluating how solar power systems respond to dynamic environmental conditions like changes in sunlight (irradiance), temperature, and shading.
- Power conversion product development: Assisting in the design and optimization of DC-DC converters, MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) algorithms, and other energy conversion technologies.
- Solar energy research: Supporting R&D efforts to enhance solar panel efficiency, energy storage integration, and smart grid compatibility.
- Battery charging and energy storage systems: Testing solar charge controllers and battery management systems (BMS) to ensure reliable energy storage solutions.
These simulators are essential for advancing solar power technology by enabling accurate, repeatable tests without relying on physical solar panels or unpredictable weather conditions.
Photovoltaic (PV) array simulators play a crucial role in solar inverter testing by accurately replicating the electrical characteristics of solar panels under diverse environmental conditions. These simulators allow manufacturers to test inverters across various real-world scenarios, such as fluctuating sunlight (irradiance), temperature changes, and partial shading, all within a controlled lab environment. By simulating dynamic maximum power point (MPP) tracking and load conditions, PV array simulators help engineers evaluate inverter efficiency, stability, and response time. This ensures that solar inverters can reliably convert DC power from solar panels into AC power for grid-tied or off-grid systems, optimizing energy harvest and performance.
Yes, photovoltaic array simulators can simulate a wide range of PV array configurations, including series, parallel, and mixed setups, allowing for comprehensive testing of PV system designs.
While photovoltaic (PV) array simulators are specifically designed to replicate the electrical behavior of solar panels and photovoltaic systems, their ability to model dynamic electrical characteristics and environmental impacts makes them adaptable for certain renewable energy system tests. They can be used to validate components in hybrid renewable systems such as solar-plus-storage setups, or to test power converters, battery management systems (BMS), and grid-tied inverters that interact with multiple energy sources. However, PV array simulators are primarily optimized for solar energy applications and may not fully replicate the behavior of wind turbines, fuel cells, or other non-solar renewable technologies.