International Conference on Power, Energy and Innovation (ICPEI 2019)

October 16-18, 2019, Pattaya, THAILAND

Field Experience for Passive Power Filter for Grid-Connected

Solar Rooftop Applications at Industrial Plants
W. Inwanna C. Boonseng R. Boonseng K. Kularbphettong
Faculty of Engineering Faculty of Engineering Faculty of Engineering Faculty of Science and
King Monkut’s Institute of King Monkut’s Institute of King Monkut’s Institute of Tech6260106ology, Suan
Technology Ladkrabang Technology Ladkrabang Technology Ladkrabang Sunandha Rajabhat University,
Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok, Thailand
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Abstract— This paper presents the solution of harmonic designed by measuring the parameters in an electrical
problem that caused by solar rooftop installation. The Passive system consisting of current, voltage, reactive energy, the
Power Filter System (PPFs) is recommended for solving Total Harmonic Distortion (% THD) and then use that data
harmonic problem which produced from non-linear loads such for designing a passive power filter [1].
as AC drive, SMPS and solar inverter. The PPFs is designed to
eliminate the harmonic in the electrical system, result in the II. SOLAR ROOFTOP DESIGN
voltage and current distortion are reduced and avoid
resonance problem. Moreover, it helps to compensate the The single line diagram of solar rooftop system as shown
reactive power and improve the power factor. The in Fig. 2. There is 102 kW that can generate the harmonic
characteristic of PPFs is analyzed based on the simple current flow into the system as shown in Fig. 3.
calculation by the KMITL program. In practical, the PPFs is
suitable for low voltage system which connected to the grid.
There is high performance in solving harmonic problems in the
electrical system.

Keywords – solar rooftop, passive filter and power quality

I. INTRODUCTION
Industrial power systems have harmonic currents,
which occur from non-linear loads such as AC drive
switching power mode supplies (SMPS). Nowadays,
alternative energy is used in current electricity generation
systems. It is applied to the original system as shown in Fig.
1. Solar energy is an alternating current that can generate all
harmonic currents. Additionally, the amount of electricity
Fig. 2 The example of single line diagram of solar rooftop
becomes the same type of AC drives, SMPS, and solar
inverters that exceed the limits of the IEEE 519- 1992 or + -

+ -
450.0 V

200.0 A

IEEE 519-2014 standard. Many harmonic currents flow into

the electrical system and affect the load and operation of
electrical equipment. Disruption of industrial processes may 4 wires

lead to losses. [1-4].

-200.0 A
-450.0 V

Fig. 3 The waveform and spectrum current at No. #1 INV 50kW

III. FILTER DESIGNS

A. Passive Filter Designs Considerations
The PPF design must consider from the value of reactive
power that measured in real-time load demand. The relations
of reactive power in the system were shown in the equation
1, 2 and 3 [5].
QSystem = QFilter (1)
Q System : Total reactive power from measurement
Fig. 1 Single line diagram of solar power system and PPFs Q Filter : Total reactive power to be supplied by the filter
This paper presents a solution of harmonic
problems using the Passive Power Filter System (PPFs), QSystem = QF1 + QF 2 + QF 3 + .... + QFn (2)
which can be analyzed by the quality power. PPFs n : branch of filter
are

‹,((( 106

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International Conference on Power, Energy and Innovation (ICPEI 2019)
October 16-18, 2019, Pattaya, THAILAND

QF1 = QF 2 = QF 3 = QFn (3) B. Passive Power Filter Designs

This problem can be solved and designed the power
Q F1 , Q F 2 , Q F 3 and Q Fn : Reactive power of each branch
factor approach to unity. Its expression of the impedance for
the n-th harmonic is [6]
There are several harmonics occur in this system but the
order of harmonic that largely affect in network is 5th 1 (4)
Z n = R + j (ω n L − )
harmonic. The 5th harmonic current leads to raising the 5th ω nC
harmonic voltage up 4-5%. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are shown the The steady state analysis of the PPFs is performed using
%THDi in general operation period, there were produced by KMITL programs, which was developed by Department of
the 5th harmonic is around 10-20% and %THDi in solar Electrical Engineering, KMITL [6]. The resulting harmonic
inverter operation period were around 37-50%. In part of the filter parameter in terms of fundamental is shown in Fig 6.
7th, 9th and other harmonic do not have significant effects to
the electrical system, there were not exceed the standard
limit.

Fig. 6 The 250kVAR 5th filter design for PPFs[7]

Fig. 4 The solar intensity, %THDv and %THDi of 102kWp solar rooftop

MDB7 MDB5

Fig. 7 The 2 x 250 kVAR-5th PPFs installation at MBD5

IV. RESULTS

A. Improved Power Factor

The suitable compensation
for reactive power in the system
can control for unity power
factor. As a consequent, the
power factor can be improved
and maintained to unity by
installing PPFs.

Fig. 8 PF approach to unity

Fig. 5 The solar intensity ,%THDi and current of 102kWp solar rooftop B. Improved Harmonics Distortion
In Fig. 9 and 10 are shown about voltage, current, power
The value of the reactive power demand in this system is
and harmonic without and with PPF. The comparison result
around 200-275 kVAR and the average value is 257.2 kVAR
illustrates the power quality is improved. The waveform of
as presented in Fig. 8(c). Therefore, the PPFs should be
voltage and current are improved close to sine wave as show
designed the reactive power compensation at 250 kVAR.
in Fig.11 and the improvement can be confirmed the result
There is appropriate value for solving the 5th harmonic
from harmonics spectrum that shown in Fig.12
problem that occurred in electrical system.

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International Conference on Power, Energy and Innovation (ICPEI 2019)
October 16-18, 2019, Pattaya, THAILAND

a) Voltage a) Voltage

b) Current b) Current

c) Power c) Power

d) Harmonics d) Harmonics

e) %THDv e) %THDv

f) %THDi f) %THDi
Fig. 9 One day for measurement without PPFs Fig. 10 One day for measurement with PPFs

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International Conference on Power, Energy and Innovation (ICPEI 2019)
October 16-18, 2019, Pattaya, THAILAND

Fig. 11 The voltage and current waveform without and with the PPFs Fig. 13 The voltage and current spectrum without and with the PPFs

V. CONCLUSION
The electrical system with solar rooftop and the
harmonic result of solar rooftop can be solved the harmonic
problems by using a PPF methods. The level of harmonic
distortion is limited in accordance with IEEE 519-1992
standard. The %THD of voltage and current are reduced to
2.4% and 9.7%, respectively. The power factor improved
close to unity. The power factor measurement represents the
ability to supply power to loads and it is a significant factor
indicates system losses. All three parameters are indicator of
the good quality of the electrical system and the confidence
of the system. Therefore, we are confident that this system
can operate with the highest efficiency. Moreover, the
extraordinary qualifications of PPFs are low cost, low
maintenance, high reliability and the PPFs installation can be
combined easily with the existing system without problems.
Fig. 12 The %THDi and %THDv without and with the PPFs REFFERENCES
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