Harmonics and reactive power from line-commutated inverters in proposed photovoltaic subdivision

This paper describes how one hundred 6.6 kW line-commutated inverters in a proposed photovoltaic subdivision will affect the 10 MVA distribution feeder to which the inverters are connected. Voltage distortion and reactive power correction were studied using a special simulation computer program. The worst-case level of voltage total harmonic distortion is 6.2%, and by setting capacitor switching practices carefully it should be possible to keep voltage THD around 2-3%. The harmonic distortion is greatly affected by the placement of capacitors on the system.