Solar PV Power Plants Harmonics Impacts

Abstract

The power quality (PQ) effects of aggregated solar PV inverters has not been documents to this point. This paper presents the power quality (PQ) performance of 17 solar photovoltaic power plants (SPVPP) interconnected in to 12 different substations, 11 distribution and 1 subtransmission. The SPVPP generation nameplate ranges between 1.5MW and 12MW. First, this paper will present the typical PQ meter installation and setup. Additionally, it will provide the performance of each of the SPVPP in power quality plots. These plots will include current demand distortion (ITDD), voltage total harmonics distortion (VTHD), and solar PV plant power (P) versus time. Furthermore, it will provide a performance analysis of the SPVPP. Finally, it will offer conclusions and recommendations of this research that include what must be done for these devices to reduce their harmonics generation in the grid. The information presented in this paper can be used to develop, test, and validate computer models use for distribution or bulk system studies.