Integration of PV module and STATCOM to extract maximum power from PV

Photovoltaic (PV) module produces DC voltage, so it must be connected to the network through an inverter. Considering PV characteristics clear that maximum power is obtained in some specific operating points. These optimal points depend on the solar radiation as well as ambient temperature and vary with their changes. Therefore, DC-DC converter is usually used between PV module and inverter to keep PV module at its optimal operating point. STATCOM, as an advanced compensator, consists of a VSI (voltage source inverter) which is connected through shunt transformer to the network. One of its common tasks is regulating DC voltage of VSI at desired voltage like optimal voltage. By connecting PV module directly to the STATCOM, PV module can work always in its optimal operating point without DC-DC converter because STATCOM regulates DC voltage at the optimal value. Moreover, in our proposed integrated system, STATCOM still does its compensating tasks such as fixing load voltage at the nominal value or compensating reactive power, properly. In this paper, integration of PV module and STATCOM is studied and finally, a sample system is simulated in MATALB software to verify the advantages of proposed integrated system.