Harmonic Control in PV

System Using Shunt APF

Harmonic Mitigation in Grid-Connected PV System Using Shunt Active Power

Filter

1. Introduction
The integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems into modern power grids is increasing
due to the global demand for renewable energy. However, grid-connected PV systems
are often exposed to power quality issues, especially when connected with non-linear
loads. These loads inject harmonics into the system, resulting in distortion of current
and voltage waveforms, reduced efficiency, overheating, and reliability problems.

To address these challenges, active power filters (APFs) are widely employed. Unlike
passive filters, APFs are dynamic, adaptive, and capable of mitigating a wide range
of harmonic orders. This report presents a MATLAB/Simulink implementation of
a shunt active power filter (SAPF) integrated with a grid-connected PV system. The
performance of the system is analyzed under three conditions: (1) PV without non-
linear load or APF, (2) PV with non-linear load, and (3) PV with non-linear load and
SAPF.

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 Harmonic Control in PV
System Using Shunt APF

2. System/Model Description
The system comprises a 100.2 kW PV array, a boost converter with an
incremental conductance MPPT algorithm, a three-phase inverter, a non-linear
load, and a shunt active power filter.

● PV Array:

○ Rating: 100.2 kW

○ 47 parallel strings, each with 10 series-connected modules

○ Single panel: PMPP=213.15 W, VMPP=29 V

● Boost Converter:

○ Boosts PV output from 290 V → 700 V (DC-link voltage)

○ Controlled by Incremental Conductance MPPT

○ PI controller regulates duty cycle for maximum power point operation

● Three-Phase Inverter:

○ Converts DC-link voltage into AC for grid injection

○ Controlled in dq0 reference frame with feed-forward decoupling

○ Ensures DC-link regulation at 700 V and real power transfer

● Non-Linear Load:

○ Modeled as diode rectifier with RL load

○ Creates current distortion at point of common coupling (PCC)

● Shunt Active Power Filter (SAPF):

○ Composed of a DC-link capacitor, inverter, coupling inductors

○ Control strategy: PQ theory

○ Generates reference compensating current

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 Harmonic Control in PV
System Using Shunt APF

○ Error between reference and actual current → processed by hysteresis

controller → inverter pulses

Placeholder: Figure 1 – Simulink Model of PV + SAPF System

3. Specifications
Table 1. System Parameters

Component Value/Rating Remarks

PV Array 100.2 kW 47 × 10 configuration

Power

Module Rating 213.15 W, 29 V @ MPP Single panel

Boost 290 V → 700 V PI-controlled, MPPT-based

Converter

Inverter 3-phase VSI, 400 V, 50 dq0 control with PLL

Hz

Grid 400 V, 50 Hz Point of Common Coupling

(PCC)

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 Harmonic Control in PV
System Using Shunt APF

Non-linear Diode rectifier + RL load Source of harmonics

Load

SAPF DC-link inverter + PQ theory + hysteresis control

inductors

4. Simulation Setup
The simulation was carried out in MATLAB/Simulink using the following setup:

● Simulation Duration: 0.6 s

● Sampling Time: 1e−61e^{-6}1e−6 s

● Operating Modes:

○ Mode 1: Without non-linear load or filter

○ Mode 2: With non-linear load

○ Mode 3: With non-linear load and SAPF

● Measurements: PV power, inverter power, grid voltage/current, THD

analysis via FFT tools

Placeholder: Figure 2 – Simulation Environment Setup

5. Methodology
5.1 MPPT Control

The Incremental Conductance (INC) algorithm is applied to the boost converter:

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 Harmonic Control in PV
System Using Shunt APF

5.2 Inverter Control

● DC-link voltage compared with 700 V reference

● Error → PI controller → Idref

● Iqref=0I_q^{ref} = 0Iqref=0 → ensures only real power injection

● dq0 → abc inverse transformation → PWM pulses

5.3 SAPF Control (PQ Theory)

1. Load current + grid voltage → Clarke transformation → αβ0 components

2. Instantaneous real (p) and reactive (q) powers calculated

3. Average and oscillating components separated

4. Reference compensating current generated

5. Error with actual filter current → hysteresis controller → inverter gating

signals

Placeholder: Figure 3 – Control Flow of SAPF using PQ Theory

6. Results and Analysis

Case 1: PV without Non-Linear Load or APF

● Grid current remains sinusoidal

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 Harmonic Control in PV
System Using Shunt APF

● THD = 3.63% (< IEEE 519 standard of 5%)

Placeholder: Figure 4 – Grid Current Waveform (Case 1)

Case 2: PV with Non-Linear Load

● Grid current becomes distorted due to rectifier load

● FFT analysis shows THD = 7.23% (> 5%, violating IEEE standard)

Placeholder: Figure 5 – Distorted Grid Current (Case 2)

Case 3: PV with Non-Linear Load + SAPF

● Compensating currents injected by SAPF

● Grid current waveform restored close to sinusoidal

● THD reduced to 4.85% (< 5%)

Placeholder: Figure 6 – Grid Current with SAPF (Case 3)

Placeholder: Table 2 – Comparison of THD in All Cases

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 Harmonic Control in PV
System Using Shunt APF

7. Discussion
The results confirm that the shunt active power filter is effective in mitigating
current harmonics in a grid-connected PV system.

● Without load → current THD < 5% (acceptable).

● With load → current THD exceeded IEEE limits (7.23%).

● With SAPF → THD reduced to 4.85% (within limits).

The PQ-based control ensures dynamic compensation by separating instantaneous

power components, making the SAPF robust against load variations.

Limitations:

● Additional switching losses from SAPF not considered.

● Only current harmonics analyzed; voltage distortion not evaluated.

● Experimental validation needed for practical proof.

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 Harmonic Control in PV
System Using Shunt APF

8. Conclusion and Future Scope

This study presented a MATLAB/Simulink model of a grid-connected PV system
with a shunt active power filter for harmonic mitigation.

Key findings:

1. PV-only system maintained THD below 5%.

2. Non-linear loads increased THD beyond IEEE limits (7.23%).

3. With SAPF, THD reduced to 4.85%, proving effective harmonic mitigation.

Contributions:

● Integrated PV with boost converter, MPPT, and inverter control.

● Implemented PQ theory-based SAPF control.

● Verified compliance with IEEE 519 harmonic limits.

Future Work:

● Experimental validation with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL).

● Extension to three-level or multilevel inverters for improved quality.

● Integration of advanced controllers (Fuzzy, ANN, MPC) for adaptive harmonic

mitigation.

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