Effects of low radiation on the power quality of a distributed PV-grid connected system

We have previously investigated effects of radiation levels on power quality of a number PV-grid interactive systems in Thailand, in terms of harmonics and voltage variation at the point of common coupling (PCC). In this paper, we focus on the nature of components of complex power (actual, reactive and apparent power) of inverter output of a PV-grid interactive system due to low radiation, below 400 W/m². The system being investigated has an array of 4.2 kWp and representative of roof top units. It is observed that a PV array supplies increasing real power, in magnitude and as percentage of complex power, at high values of radiation. At low radiation level when the array does not provide enough output power, reactive power is drawn from distribution transformer and fed into an inverter and loads. Based on results from the test site and long term radiation data of Bangkok, we then estimate energy available from low radiation from a hypothetical PV-grid interactive unit in Bangkok of a similar size. It can be seen that for a tropical climate like Thailand a significant amount of energy, 20–30% of radiation energy, is in the form of reactive power. Methods must be devised to capture this low radiation energy and converted into real power form.