Software-in-the-loop based MPPT enabled realtime solar photovoltaics simulator in FPGA platform for academic appreciation

Abstract

Non-linear solar photovoltaic (SPV) system characteristics and its dependency on meteorological variables of irradiance and temperature; renders this energy source rather involved to visualize. In this paper a low power realtime SPV module simulator is realized in field programmable gate array (FPGA) XCS100E platform for classroom teaching. FPGA platform is used due to its parallel computing nature and lucid hardware description languages (HDL) available. Output of FPGA being high frequency PWM (pulse width modulated) signals, can be used to upgrade the realized simulator at actual power levels through power electronics interfacing. SPV module with MPPT enabling feature is included, which can be used for testing and deployment of various MPPT techniques. � 2017 IEEE.