Enhanced Active Power Control Capability of Grid Coupled Solar PV System

Grid-tied solar photovoltaic-based distributed generation systems are required to provide consistent and controlled levels of active and reactive power to the grid. However, the intermittent nature of the solar resource available to PV systems makes the use of energy storage system indispensable for enhancing balance of supply and demand and reliability. The PV inverter controller plays a pivotal role in ensuring the proportional percentage output of the active and reactive power, contributing to system stability. Most of the research in the literature focuses on the design and control of small-scale power converters to enhance performance, however, ongoing research persists regarding the practical integration of these converters onto the grid. Upon integration of the system with the grid, the voltages at the point of common coupling synchronize with those of the grid. This paper evaluates the potential of regulating the voltage level of grid coupled solar system and upholding the power quality within a medium voltage distribution network. The control of active and reactive power was achieved through manipulation of the dq-component of the grid current. No additional PI loop is used to regulate the DC-side voltage, which is another advantage of this configuration.