Analysis of the electrical power generated by a 2 Mwp photovoltaic plant connected to the MV distribution network: Focus on the power factor

This article presents a case study on analyzing active and reactive power injected by a 2 MWp photovoltaic (PV) power plant to the MV distribution network. Data were collected over 18 hours, from April 21, 2022 at 15:13 pm to April 22, 2022 at 9:50 am, using a qualimeter based on the NIDAQ 6008 card. The main objective of this study was to evaluate variations in power quality over a one-second measurement period, with particular emphasis on the impact of sunrise and sunset on PV plant output. The electrical parameters measured included active, reactive, and as well as power factor. The analysis revealed significant fluctuations in active and reactive power throughout the measurement period, with variations corresponding to weather conditions and grid load. The results were contextualized using a scientific literature review, which provided an overview of previous research on power quality in grid-connected PV systems. This study provides valuable insights for better management of photovoltaic solar power in MV distribution networks, highlighting the importance of taking diurnal variations into account in solar power generation.