IEC TS 63106-2:2022 PDF

Overview

IEC TS 63106-2:2022 provides recommendations for DC power simulators used to test photovoltaic (PV) power conversion equipment (PCE). The Technical Specification focuses on low-voltage (LV) DC simulators used for validating grid-interactive power converters (GCPCs) and also covers some uses for stand‑alone and multi‑mode PCEs. It describes recommended test setups, performance characteristics and stability needs for simulators that emulate PV arrays during compliance, qualification and R&D testing.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test setups and system configuration: guidance on fundamental test arrangements for utility-interactive inverters, PV array simulators, DC power supplies and ports used in testing.
• DC output characteristics: recommendations on DC output voltage accuracy, ripple, and transient behavior of simulators to avoid misleading test results.
• I–V curve stability and dynamics: requirements for simulator stability when emulating PV I–V characteristics during MPPT activity, rapid irradiance changes, sunrise/sunset conditions and UVRT tests.
• Performance for utility interaction tests: simulator behavior needed for grid qualification/requalification, power capability tests (P, Q, S, PF), ramp rates, and grid‑support function validation.
• Grid protection and power quality scenarios: support for UV/OV, UF/OF, ROCOF, anti‑islanding, harmonics, flicker and transient tests via DC simulation of PV behavior during AC disturbances.
• Additional test use-cases: MPPT efficiency, total conversion efficiency, automatic start/stop under gradual irradiance change, and EUT operational stability under sudden irradiance variations.
• Avoidance of transient impacts: recommendations to reduce simulator-induced transients that can affect Equipment Under Test (EUT) behavior.

Applications

• Test laboratories validating PV inverters and converters to utility interconnection and PV performance standards.
• PV inverter and converter manufacturers performing type testing, design verification and firmware validation (MPPT, ride‑through, grid support).
• Certification bodies and compliance engineers assessing grid‑interactive PCE behavior in standardized scenarios.
• R&D teams simulating PV array dynamics (irradiance changes, I–V curve shifts) for control algorithm development and robustness testing.

Who should use this standard

• PV test engineers and laboratory managers
• Inverter manufacturers and system integrators
• Certification/approval agencies and independent test labs
• Research groups developing PV converter controls and MPPT algorithms

Related standards

IEC TS 63106-2 is published under IEC Technical Committee 82 (Solar photovoltaic energy systems). For full compliance programs, use it alongside other IEC PV and grid‑connection standards and the normative references cited within the document.

Keywords: IEC TS 63106-2, DC power simulators, PV testing, photovoltaic power conversion equipment, grid‑connected power converters, I–V curve stability, MPPT, UVRT, PV array simulator.