Local load power factor correction by grid-interactive PV inverters

Reactive power generation by grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) inverters is becoming an important subject for both academia and the electric utility industry. This paper reviews the PV inverter VAR generation capability and availability using the concept of power generation duration curve (PGDC), and proposed VAR control methodologies. The impact of a moderate level of PV penetration on a local distribution feeder using actual load and weather data is then evaluated in terms of the necessary reactive power generation by such PV systems in order to restore the operating power factor of the feeder. It was determined that simple local control of the inverters using a combination of constant kVA and constant power factor during the some parts of the days of summer provides satisfactory restoration of initial feeder operating power factor.