Abstract: Due to the high secondary electron and photoelectron emission rate at the surface of typical components such as the solar cell array, the inverted potential gradient (IPG) has become a typical surface charging scenario in orbit. In order to evaluate the surface charging risk of spacecraft’s outer components, it is necessary to study the characteristics of the IPG and the related ground simulation methods. By analyzing the characteristics of the surface charging in the space plasma environments in the high Earth orbit and the low Earth orbit, this paper proposes a set of the ground simulation method with a typical test result. It is recommended to simulate the IPG by the electron gun or the UV source for the high Earth orbit, and by the cold-dense plasma source for the low Earth orbit. In order to establish the IPG in the simulation process, the conductive part of the sample base needs to be suspended and driven by a negative bias DC power supply, meanwhile, compensation should be made according to the sample scale. The simulation method proposed in this paper can be used for the ground evaluation test of the solar array or other components with the IPG effect in orbit charging.