Photovoltaic Simulator Interface based on Two-Diode Equivalent Circuit Model

This paper deals with the development, modeling and analysis of a photovoltaic simulator under Matlab/Simulink environment. The simulator is designed to theoretically study and imitate the behavior of a real PV system parameters and characteristics. The RT-interface is built based on two-diode equivalent circuit model. This representation choice over perform at low irradiation level providing better power forecast especially near to the open circuit voltage. To explore the performance of power electronic components, a DC/DC buck converter, which is controlled by PI regulator and PWM strategy and fed a resistive load, is used for reproducing the standard characteristics I=f(V) and P=f(V) in the laboratory regardless of random weather conditions. The output simulated curves have shown in agreement with references ones, since the recorded relative error is less than 1%, proving the accuracy and reliability of the proposed PV simulator structure. This real time platform is exploited by researchers as a software prototype to apply their tests for developing and improving control strategies as well as the efficiency of PV conversion systems.