TEST & CALIBRATION INSTRUMENTS



AMETEK PROGRAMMABLE POWER

9250 Brown Deer Road, San Diego, CA U.S.A.



AMETEK’s TerraSAS Solar Array Simulator Enhances Inverter Testing

New TerraSAS provides turn-key solution for testing grid-tied inverters and DC charge controllers;

High-speed response enhances maximum power point (MPP) tracking simulation

SAN DIEGO, Calif., U.S.A., May 6, 2010—The Elgar brand TerraSAS Solar Array Simulator from AMETEK Programmable Power offers a fully integrated solution for the design, development and production testing of inverters and micro-inverters for domestic and industrial solar energy systems. The TerraSAS simulates photovoltaic (PV) dynamic solar irradiance and temperature characteristics over a range of weather conditions from clear to cloudy and over a specified time interval to produce the current / voltage (IV) characteristics for the specified PV array for those conditions.

For ease of use, the system’s simulation engine is able to download data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Solar Advisor Model database defining key parameters - open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current (Isc) and maximum power point voltage (Vmpp) at 25 degrees C and 1000 W/m2 irradiance - so that the IV curve can be calculated according to a standard solar cell model for virtually any fill factor or solar material. Other PV panel IV curves can be entered manually. Systems with multiple panels with different characteristics resulting in “multiple hump” IV curves also can be simulated. In addition, the TerraSAS is capable of simultaneously simulating up to 24 parallel channels for use with micro-inverters.

“An essential part of this testing is to provide the inverter under test with accurate simulation of the PV array response to its maximum power point tracking (MPP) function. To perform this task, the power source must accurately process the PV array's IV curve without filtering the low frequency ripple voltage produced by the inverter to track MPP,” comments Eric Turner, AMETEK product manager for TerraSAS.

“The TerraSAS delivers an order of magnitude improvement in this critical response over conventional switch mode DC power sources. The application of high-speed switching power supplies and advanced DSP signal processing allows us to attain superior MPP tracking response without the need for bulky and expensive linear power supplies," notes Turner.

The modular, rack-mounted Elgar TerraSAS system offers the following:

• One or more programmable DC power supplies with optimized, high-speed output response available in 1 to 15 kW increments

• A controller module and simulation engine for implementing the sequencing of the PV panel(s) IV curves

• Power supplies that can be configured master/auxiliary to provide high power systems

• User friendly key board and Graphical User Interface (GUI) display

• Relays for output isolation and polarity reversing

For more information, contact AMETEK Programmable Power sales at or contact an authorized sales representative.

AMETEK Programmable Power is a division of AMETEK, Inc, a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with 2009 sales of $2.1 billion.

Editor Contact:

AMETEK Programmable Power

Craig Frahm, Marketing Manager

9250 Brown Deer Road

San Diego, CA 92121

Phone: 858.678.4459

Email: craig.frahm@

Agency Contact:

WelComm, Inc.

Greg Evans, P.E.

7975 Raytheon Road, Suite 340

San Diego, CA 92111

Phone: 858.279.2100

Email: greg@

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