Solar Simulation

Simulate solar panel characteristics for testing solar-powered devices. A solar net drives an EA PSB bidirectional supply in its photovoltaic simulation mode.

A solar net has no Net.get() path. The CLI saves a solar net with the role solar, and NetType has no solar role, so Net.get('SOLAR', type=NetType.PowerSupply2Q) raises InvalidNetError. Use the module functions on this page instead. They take the net name. See #844.

Import

from lager.power.solar import (
    set_to_solar_mode,
    stop_solar_mode,
    irradiance,
    mpp_current,
    mpp_voltage,
    resistance,
    temperature,
    voc,
)

The same functions are in lager.power, where resistance, temperature and voc are named solar_resistance, solar_temperature and solar_voc.

Functions

Function	Description
`set_to_solar_mode(netname)`	Connect and start photovoltaic simulation mode
`stop_solar_mode(netname)`	Stop the simulation and disconnect
`irradiance(netname, value=None)`	Set the irradiance (W/m²), or print it
`mpp_current(netname)`	Print the maximum power point current
`mpp_voltage(netname)`	Print the maximum power point voltage
`voc(netname)`	Print the open-circuit voltage
`temperature(netname)`	Print the simulated cell temperature
`resistance(netname, value=None)`	Set the panel resistance, or print it

Each function prints its result to the script’s output and returns None. A script cannot read a value from the return value. Each function raises SolarBackendError when the instrument refuses a value or does not answer.

Function Reference

`set_to_solar_mode(netname)`

Connect to the instrument and start photovoltaic simulation mode. The function tries three times, because an EA supply needs time to settle after a stop.

from lager.power.solar import set_to_solar_mode

set_to_solar_mode('SOLAR')

Parameter	Type	Description
`netname`	`str`	Name of the solar net

`stop_solar_mode(netname)`

Stop the simulation and disconnect from the instrument.

from lager.power.solar import stop_solar_mode

stop_solar_mode('SOLAR')

`irradiance(netname, value=None)`

Set the irradiance level, or print it when value is None.

from lager.power.solar import irradiance

irradiance('SOLAR', 1000)  # Standard test condition (1000 W/m²)
irradiance('SOLAR')        # Prints the irradiance

Parameter	Type	Description
`netname`	`str`	Name of the solar net
`value`	`float` or `None`	Irradiance in W/m² (0-1500). If None, prints the value.

A value below 0 or above 1500 raises SolarBackendError.

`voc(netname)`

Print the open-circuit voltage.

from lager.power.solar import voc

voc('SOLAR')

`mpp_voltage(netname)`

Print the maximum power point voltage.

from lager.power.solar import mpp_voltage

mpp_voltage('SOLAR')

`mpp_current(netname)`

Print the maximum power point current.

from lager.power.solar import mpp_current

mpp_current('SOLAR')

`resistance(netname, value=None)`

Set the dynamic panel resistance, or print it when value is None.

from lager.power.solar import resistance

resistance('SOLAR', 5.0)  # Set
resistance('SOLAR')       # Prints the resistance

Parameter	Type	Description
`netname`	`str`	Name of the solar net
`value`	`float` or `None`	Resistance in ohms. Must be positive. If None, prints the value.

`temperature(netname)`

Print the simulated cell temperature.

from lager.power.solar import temperature

temperature('SOLAR')

Examples

Basic Solar Simulation

from lager.power.solar import (
    set_to_solar_mode, stop_solar_mode, irradiance, voc, mpp_voltage, mpp_current,
)
import time

set_to_solar_mode('SOLAR_INPUT')
try:
    irradiance('SOLAR_INPUT', 1000)
    time.sleep(1)

    # Each call prints its reading
    voc('SOLAR_INPUT')
    mpp_voltage('SOLAR_INPUT')
    mpp_current('SOLAR_INPUT')
finally:
    stop_solar_mode('SOLAR_INPUT')

Test Multiple Irradiance Levels

from lager.power.solar import set_to_solar_mode, stop_solar_mode, irradiance, voc, mpp_current
import time

set_to_solar_mode('SOLAR')
try:
    for irr in [200, 500, 800, 1000, 1200]:
        irradiance('SOLAR', irr)
        time.sleep(1)
        print(f"Irradiance: {irr} W/m²")
        voc('SOLAR')
        mpp_current('SOLAR')
finally:
    stop_solar_mode('SOLAR')

Measure the DUT Against a Fixed Irradiance

from lager import Net, NetType
from lager.power.solar import set_to_solar_mode, stop_solar_mode, irradiance
import time

dut_current = Net.get('DUT_CURRENT', type=NetType.ADC)

set_to_solar_mode('SOLAR')
try:
    irradiance('SOLAR', 1000)
    for i in range(30):
        print(f"DUT input: {dut_current.input():.3f} V")
        time.sleep(1)
finally:
    stop_solar_mode('SOLAR')

Supported Hardware

Manufacturer	Model	Features
EA	PSB 10060-60	Bidirectional, PV simulation
EA	PSB 10080-60	Bidirectional, PV simulation

Only EA PSB models are accepted. Another instrument on a solar net raises SolarBackendError.

Notes

Solar simulation requires a bidirectional (two-quadrant) power supply
Standard Test Conditions (STC): 1000 W/m², 25°C, AM1.5
The I-V curve is automatically generated based on irradiance
Call set_to_solar_mode() before the other functions
Always call stop_solar_mode() when finished, for example in a finally block
The functions print and return None. The printed text includes terminal color codes
The CLI equivalent is lager solar

Getting Started

Development

Power & Simulation

Measurement

I/O & Communication

Utilities

Solar Simulation

Import

Functions

Function Reference

`set_to_solar_mode(netname)`

`stop_solar_mode(netname)`

`irradiance(netname, value=None)`

`voc(netname)`

`mpp_voltage(netname)`

`mpp_current(netname)`

`resistance(netname, value=None)`

`temperature(netname)`

Examples

Basic Solar Simulation

Test Multiple Irradiance Levels

Measure the DUT Against a Fixed Irradiance

Supported Hardware

Notes

​Import

​Functions

​Function Reference

​set_to_solar_mode(netname)

​stop_solar_mode(netname)

​irradiance(netname, value=None)

​voc(netname)

​mpp_voltage(netname)

​mpp_current(netname)

​resistance(netname, value=None)

​temperature(netname)

​Examples

​Basic Solar Simulation

​Test Multiple Irradiance Levels

​Measure the DUT Against a Fixed Irradiance

​Supported Hardware

​Notes

Import

Functions

Function Reference

`set_to_solar_mode(netname)`

`stop_solar_mode(netname)`

`irradiance(netname, value=None)`

`voc(netname)`

`mpp_voltage(netname)`

`mpp_current(netname)`

`resistance(netname, value=None)`

`temperature(netname)`

Examples

Basic Solar Simulation

Test Multiple Irradiance Levels

Measure the DUT Against a Fixed Irradiance

Supported Hardware

Notes