Solar array simulator delivers high power, small package

Gina Roos

eeProductCenter (05/02/2008 10:01 AM ET)

Santa Clara, Calif. — Agilent Technologies Inc. has introduced a modular solar array simulator that offers the most power — up to 1200W — in the smallest package (2U high). Designed for testing a satellite's power system, the E4360 solar array simulator enables accurate I-V curve simulation of a solar panel's array under various environmental conditions.

The E4360 is a dual-output programmable DC power source that provides up to two outputs at up to 600 W per output. It can accurately simulate the I-V curve of all types of solar arrays under varying environmental conditions such as eclipse, spin, rotation, age and temperature. It operates in two ways: Users can input the four key operational parameters (Voc, Isc, Vmp, Imp) needed for the solar array simulator to internally create an I-V curve of a solar array; or download a user-defined table for the I-V curve of the solar array.

This is the first solar array simulator to provide universal serial bus (USB 2.0), 10/100 Base-T Ethernet (LAN) and general-purpose interface bus (GPIB) interfaces as standard equipment, enabling low-cost connectivity to a PC, Agilent said. The E4360 can also be remotely operated and monitored from any Web browser via a built-in Web server and graphical user interface.

In addition, the modular solar array simulator offers many system-ready features to simplify the programming and control of the instrument. The system software driver allows a single function call to set up and control multiple E4360s in a system. Multiple solar array simulators can be configured without writing a single line of code, and a new capability simplifies parallel operation such that two outputs act as a single synchronized channel of twice the output current and power without having to write software to manage their interaction.

With the addition of this standalone instrument, Agilent now offers a full turn-key solar array simulator system, built on the E4360 modular solar array simulator platform. The modular architecture makes it easy to configure, re-configure and support this system since modules can be easily moved and replaced, Agilent said. The system's components include commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) instruments, a standard PC and standard interconnectivity (LAN, USB). The system can be customized to meet specific requirements including for instruments, cabling and application-specific software.

Pricing: The E4360A modular solar array simulator mainframe, which can hold up to two modules, is priced at $3,961. The E4361A 65 V, 8.5 A, 510 W and E4362A 130 V, 5 A, 600 W solar array simulator DC modules are priced at $5,136 each.
Availability: Shipments will begin in June 2008. For ordering ease, Agilent provides one model number (E4367A or E4368A) for each of the integrated systems (configured mainframe with two modules).
Product information: E4360

Agilent Technologies, www.agilent.com