REACTIVE POWER COMPENSATION BASED OPTIMIZATION OF MICRO-SCALE STAND-ALONE PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS

Abstract

Inductive loads demand reactive power that does not turn into useful energy from the energy source, adversely affects system components, and releases excessive thermal energy. The control of the power factor (cos φ) decreases the negative effect of reactive power in the system by performing reactive power compensation (RPC). In this study, RPC is applied to a Photovoltaic (PV) system to increase the overall system. The designed system's main components' mathematical modeling and performance simulations are made using MATLAB codes and Simulink modellings. Simulation-based performance data were compared with the data obtained from the experimental setup. As a result of the study, the system's current-carrying capacity (CCC) is increased, a reduction in thermal energy is obtained; therefore, the system performance is optimized.