Agilent / Keysight E4351B Solar Array Simulator

The Keysight E4351B Solar Array Simulator is a one-box DC power source engineered to emulate solar array output characteristics with high fidelity. Operating as a current source with less than 100 nF output capacitance, it delivers precise I-V curve simulation across varying temperature and operating conditions. The instrument supports three distinct modes: Simulator Mode using four-parameter algorithms (Voc, Isc, Imp, Vmp), Table Mode with user-defined point arrays up to 4000 points per table, and Fixed Mode for standard rectangular power supply operation.

Technical Specifications

• Maximum Power: 480 W


• Maximum Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 130 V


• Maximum Short Circuit Current (Isc): 4 A


• Rated Voltage Range: 0–120 V


• Rated Current Range: 0–4 A Programming Accuracy (25°C ±5°C):


• Voltage (Fixed Mode): 0.075% + 20 mV


• Current (Simulator and Fixed Mode): 0.2% + 10 mA


• Load Regulation: ±0.01% + 0.1 mV


• Line Regulation: ±0.01% + 0.1 mV Ripple and Noise (20 Hz to 20 MHz):


• Voltage RMS: 24 mV; Peak-to-Peak: 195 mV


• Current RMS: 4 mA; Ripple < 10 mArms


• Voltage Ripple: < 5 mVrms Dynamic Performance:


• Output Capacitance: < 100 nF


• Load Switching Recovery Time: < 5 µs


• Maximum Capacitive Load (Fixed Mode): 2000 µF

Key Features

• Table Mode stores up to 30,000 points in volatile memory; 3,500 points non-volatile


• Programmable current and voltage offsets for condition simulation


• IEEE-488.2 bus control with GPIB, RS-232, and LAN interfaces


• Serial linking supports up to 16 outputs on a single IEEE-488.2 address


• Unconditional stability in Simulator and Table Modes at all capacitive loads


• Overvoltage protection integrated

Typical Applications Photovoltaic system development, array validation testing, quality control in solar energy manufacturing, and research environments requiring dynamic I-V characteristic emulation.

Compatibility & Integration GPIB, RS-232, and LAN connectivity enable integration into automated test systems. IEEE-488.2 programmability supports scripted array simulation workflows.