Modeling and Simulation of a Grid-Tied 21.0 kWp Real Solar Power Plant as Case Study, Using the VHDL-AMS Language

This paper presents the utilization of hardware description language VHDL-AMS (Very High-Speed Integrated Circuit plus Hardware Description Language that includes analog and mixed-signal extensions) for modeling and simulation a grid-tied 21.0 kWp real solar power plant, admitted as case study. The case study used in this research consists of a photovoltaic power system with the following features: 1) It has 90 panels of 255 Wp and 3 SMA On Grid inverters, 2) It operates without batteries, and 3) It has a dynamic power controller, called Circuitor (CDP-0), to guarantee zero injection into the grid. The main contribution of this work is modeling and simulation of a grid-tied real solar power plant, using the VHDL-AMS language (with the support of software SystemVision™), in order to develop a simulating tool capable to find the real electrical energy generation in a photovoltaic system, considering the monthly averaged direct normal radiation and the solar panel characteristics. This paper aims to present the first major developments for the future construction of a bigger VHDL-AMS tool that will allow the simulation of photovoltaic power systems, operating in a synergic way with hydroelectric power plants previously built, with the aim of optimize the coordinated operation between hydropower and solar energy, for periods of rain and hydrological drought.