IV and Lifetime Software with MPPT Tracker
The IV and Lifetime software is developed to control and collect data from the Source Measure Unit systems. It is intended for characterization and lifetime studies of solar cells, measuring IV curves or applying maximum power point tracking (MPPT) under irradiation.
The IV and Lifetime software is developed to control and collect data from the Source Measure Unit systems. It is intended for characterization and lifetime studies of solar cells, measuring IV curves or applying maximum power point tracking (MPPT) under irradiation.
The IV and Lifetime software is developed to control and collect data from the Source Measure Unit systems. It is intended for characterization and lifetime studies of solar cells, measuring IV curves or applying maximum power point tracking (MPPT) under irradiation.
Maximum Power point tracking (MPPT):
MPPT tracker mode allows to maintain the operation of the solar cell at the MPP. Here the solar cell experiences a realistic scenario where power is extracted – opposed to maintaining the solar cell at open circuit or short circuit. If the MPP changes (e.g the solar degrades or the irradiance/temperature conditions change), the algorithm can find the new MPP without intervention and without running IV curves.
How does it work?
In the infinityPV IV and lifetime software the operator sets a minimum and a maximum voltage (searching range) for the specific channel and activates the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) mode. The SMU systems then start a P&O (perturbance and observance) MPPT algorithm for that channel. The algorithm changes the output of the channel by a few mVs every second and measures the current at the new point. It then compares the power at the new point with the power at the previous point and decides the direction of the next voltage perturbance.
Downloading the Software
Installing the Software
The software is developed and tested on a Windows 10 PC and requires a third-party driver as described in the manual. Click Here to Download Third-Party Driver From silabs.com
Safety
The user must read and follow instructions for use of the hardware controlled by the application.
The Low Power 8 Channel Source Measure Unit with MPPT is specifically tailored for laboratory PV devices and compact modules, supporting voltages of up to 5 V and currents of up to 40 mA, with a maximum of 200 mW per channel.
The High Power 4 Channel Source Measure Unit with MPPT is versatile, catering to both small laboratory PV devices and larger PV modules with higher power levels, offering a maximum of 5000 mW per channel.