Reactive power supply from PV inverters in distribution networks

Abstract

Due to fuel depletion and environmental crisis, many countries are switching into the renewable energy system. With the expanding solar net metering scheme in Sri Lanka the solar PV systems are evolving in the low voltage distribution network. Domestic and commercial consumers are contributing to the national grid by feeding pure active power. This paper describes the opportunity to feed reactive power to the gird instead of pure active power injection by changing the operational power factor. This study explains the theoretical background and analyzes the potentials and limitations in empowering the power quality with voltage regulation improvement, compensating peak reactive loads, reduction in line losses and improvement in line capacity. And also, analyzing the opportunity in replacing capacitor banks for the reactive power compensation for peak loads with solar inverters. Then, compares the economic viability of this concept with various studies to promote this scheme.