Design and Performance Analysis of Grid Connected Photovoltaic (GCPV) based DSTATCOM for Power Quality Improvements

Abstract Solar energy has become the most prominent renewable energy for electrical power generation of the sustainable development agenda. This project focuses on power quality improvement in the low voltage distribution network by using a three-phase three-wire Distributed Static compensator (DSTATCOM) supplied by a single-stage grid-connected solar photovoltaic (GCPV) system. The instantaneous reactive power theory (IRPT) or P-Q theory will be used as the control algorithm of the PV based DSTATCOM to eliminate the harmonic current caused by the non-linear loads in the distribution system. This control method has great impact on the accuracy of the harmonic current and reactive power compensation for harmonic current elimination according to the requirement of THD limit set by IEEE 519-2014. Sizing of the grid-connected solar PV system based DSTATCOM will be presented and capable to deliver the active power demand to the utility grid under variation of solar irradiances. This system is modelled and simulated in the MATLAB/Simulink environment.