Design And Implementation of Reactive Power Management for Solar Photovoltaic Inverter in Low Voltage Distribution System

P. Uma Maheswari; DR. P. Anbalagan

CALL FOR PAPERS : Mar-2023

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25-Mar-23

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Design And Implementation of Reactive Power Management for Solar Photovoltaic Inverter in Low Voltage Distribution System

Author(s):

P. Uma Maheswari , Kalaignarkarunanidhi Institute of Technology Coimbatore, India; DR. P. Anbalagan, Kalaignarkarunanidhi Institute of Technology Coimbatore, India

Keywords:

Low voltage distribution system, PIC microcontroller 16F887A, Reactive power management, Solar power generation, Solar PV inverter, Voltage control

Abstract:

Distributed Energy (DE) Systems have been receiving wide acceptance during the last decade. With increasing concern of global warming and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, many are looking at sustainable energy solutions to preserve the earth for the future generations. Other than hydro power, wind and photovoltaic (PV) energy holds the most potential to meet our energy demands. The grid connected solar PV inverters able to provide the reactive power to the low voltage distribution system. Reactive power capability of the solar photovoltaic inverter is depending upon the inverter’s rating and the solar power generation. This paper aim to design and implementation of reactive power management for solar photovoltaic inverter in low voltage distribution system. This strategy can be applied for various solar power generating conditions (no solar power generation, low solar power generation, maximum solar power generation, cloudy period).The objective of the project is to maintain the constant voltage level and to provide the fast reactive power control in low voltage distribution system. During no and low solar power generation, the inverter inject reactive power and support the voltage by using Dynamic VAR compensation mode. During maximum solar power generation, the inverter absorbs reactive power and there by mitigating voltage rise using Droop characteristics approach. During passing clouds, the inverter will inject reactive power and reduce the voltage fluctuation using Ramp rate control. The proposed technique is done with the help of PIC microcontroller 16F887A and it is tested in hardware setup. The results show that the solar photovoltaic inverter can be used for reducing the voltage fluctuation and improve the voltage profile in various solar power generating conditions.