Investigation of extra power loss sharing among photovoltaic inverters caused by reactive power management in distribution networks

Grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) inverters tailored with reactive power management feature can support the grid voltage especially when the voltage fluctuates near its admissible limits. Although Q control allows reducing the grid voltage elevation along the distribution feeder, it brings extra load and power loss on the feeders and individual inverters. Simplified energy loss evaluation is carried out here by using analytical average loss modeling of 2-level full bridge inverter coupled with network load flow analysis simulating one month period. The study shows that whatever Q control is selected, extra power loss is not a substantial amount to take into consideration. Similarly, loss difference among the inverters located at the various points is negligible.