Solar photovoltaic technologies have undergone significant scientific development. To ensure the transfer of knowledge through the training of qualified personnel, didactic tools that can be acquired or built at a reasonable price are needed. Most training and research centres have restrictions on acquiring specific equipment due to its high cost. With this in mind, this article presents the development and transfer of a low-cost I–V curve tracer acquisition system. The device is made up of embedded systems with all the necessary hardware and software for its operation. The hardware and software presented are open source and have a low cost, i.e., the estimated material cost of the system is less than 200 euros. For its development, four institutions from three different countries participated in the project. Three photovoltaic technologies were used to measure the uncertainties related to the equipment developed. In addition, the system can be transferred for use as an academic or research tool, as long as the measurement does not need to be certified. Two accredited laboratories have certified the low uncertainties in the measurement of the proposed system.

This paper presents the main aspects of implementing a laboratory for testing qualification and approval related to crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic devices. In this aspect, a simplified review-based IEC 61215 standard methodology for mechanical and electrical tests is presented from a practical-experimental view. The instrumental requirements and uncertainties are discussed. Specially focused on the nowadays high-size PV modules.

This work proposes a new five-parameter model equation for PV devices, which operates as a function of the main representative parameters of PV devices. It is specifically developed for implementation in embedded systems. The methodology presented in this work is notable due to the fact that three of the five parameters can be directly extracted from the experimental current–voltage (I–V) curve, simplifying the iterative process until a pre-set small difference in the determination of the maximum power is achieved. The iterative methodology for extracting the remaining parameters is also described. The proposed methodology is verified by applying it to seven different PV technologies, including crystalline and thin-film technologies. Its parameters are compared with those obtained using the highly precise trust region iterative method. The resulting parameters and the error in the adjustment along the I–V curve are discussed. This methodology demonstrates the capability to accurately adjust the model along the entire I–V curve, determine the maximum power, and is not dependent on highly variable parameters.

Several Latin American countries , in their marginal regions , it has been verified that the power quality of the distribution present unstable networks or rural networking features. This causes disconnect of inverter of PV systems because the network parameters (voltage , frequency, etc. ) are outside the limits of operation thereof. This type of situation is one of the problems that must be evaluated before a transition from conventional energy system model to a model of decentralized generation through RE sources. This position is also valid for the case of implementation of GPVS in rural environments. For these reasons, in this paper is presented the development of a hybrid stand alone system (photovoltaic / diesel) in order to assess grid tied inverters and their suitability for work in unstable networks . The proposed hybrid system has a photovoltaic array , inverters DC / AC current, a generator and a resistive load. With preliminary results, it was determined that under certain operating conditions, changing the operating parameters of the investors, it is possible to couple a parallel SFCR with a diesel generator. It is necessary to continue the systematic testing system developed to allow general conclusions on different operating conditions and determine the applicability of grid connected inverters . En diferentes países de Latinoamérica, en sus regiones marginales, se ha verificado que la calidad de energía eléctrica del sistema de distribución posee características similares a las presentadas en redes inestables o redes rurales. Este hecho ocasiona que los inversores de sistemas fotovoltaicos conectados a la red (SFCR) se desconecten ya que los parámetros de red (tensión, frecuencia, etc.) se encuentren fuera de los límites de operación de los mismos. Este tipo de cuestiones es uno de los problemas que deben ser evaluados antes de una transición del modelo de sistema energético convencional a un modelo de generación descentralizada a través de fuentes de ER. Este planteo es también válido para el caso de implementación de SFCR en entornos rurales. Por lo expuesto, en este trabajo se presenta el desarrollo de una red híbrida aislada (fotovoltaica/diesel) operando con inversores para conexión a red con el objetivo de evaluar su adaptabilidad a redes inestables y valorar su comportamiento. El sistema híbrido planteado posee un arreglo fotovoltaico, inversores de corriente continua/corriente alterna, un grupo electrógeno y una carga resistiva. Con los resultados preliminares obtenidos, se determinó que, bajo ciertas condiciones de operación, y modificando convenientemente los parámetros de operación de los inversores, es posible acoplar en paralelo un sistema FV de características similares a los de conexión a red con un generador diesel. Es necesario continuar con ensayos sistemáticos del sistema desarrollado que permita obtener conclusiones generales en diferentes condiciones de operación, y así determinar la aplicabilidad de inversores de conexión a red.

Este trabajo trata sobre el desarrollo de una librería de dispositivos fotovoltaicos (FV) para ser utilizada en la simulación de sistemas de generación. El objetivo es disponer de una herramienta de libre distribución y gratuita, cuya rigurosidad científica y matemática, permitan el estudio detallado de generadores FV y sistemas complejos, que de otro modo resulta complicado de llevar a cabo. Se describen las ecuaciones utilizadas para el desarrollo de la librería, que parten del modelo equivalente eléctrico de un diodo de cinco parámetros, y la manera de implementarla junto con dispositivos electrónicos lineales y no lineales que ya dispone el entorno de simulación elegido. Se comprueba su funcionamiento mediante la simulación y el ajuste de una curva I-V experimental, se evalúan casos de desadaptación eléctrica para un módulo y para un sistema FV autónomo. Como conclusión se establece que la librería es capaz de representar correctamente a un dispositivo FV, en una amplia variedad de casos complejos donde se destaca la practicidad de uso. La misma es puesta online para que pueda ser enriquecida con el aporte de otros investigadores o profesionales en el área.

The incorporation of distributed generation with photovoltaic systems entails a drawback associated with intermittency in the generation capacity due to variations in the solar resource. In general, this aspect limits the level of penetration that this resource can have without producing an appreciable impact on the quality of the electrical supply. With the intention of reducing its intermittency, this paper presents the characterization of a methodology for maximizing grid-connected PV system operation under low-solar-radiation conditions. A new concept of a hybrid system based on a constant current source and capable of integrating different sources into a conventional grid-connected PV system is presented. Results of an experimental characterization of a low-voltage grid–PV system connection with a DC/DC converter for constant-current source application are shown in zero and non-zero radiation conditions. The results obtained demonstrate that the proposed integration method works efficiently without causing appreciable effects on the parameters that define the quality of the electrical supply. In this way, it is possible to efficiently incorporate another source of energy, taking advantage of the characteristics of the GCPVS without further interventions in the system. It is expected that this topology could help to integrate other generation and/or storage technologies into already existing PV systems, opening a wide field of research in the PV systems area.