Impact of smart photovoltaic inverter control modes on medium-voltage grid voltage and inverter lifetime: An experimental approach

Abstract

This study relies on an experimental approach, utilising real data from multiple photovoltaic (PV) sites located in the US Northeaster region, to inspect how different inverter reactive and active power settings impact gird voltage regulation and inverter life expectancy. These voltage regulation schemes come at a cost for the operator. Data from different solar sites with inverters running at different reactive and active power settings were analysed to compare operational trade-offs. These trade-offs range from production losses to shortening the lifetime of the inverters. Voltage versus reactive power plots were analysed to show production losses, while the thermal analysis was used to correlate with the inverter life expectancy.