Design of a Smart Solar Powered EV Charging Station with Power Quality Enhancement Using Advanced Inverter Control

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy technologies has created new challenges and opportunities for modern power systems. Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is widely considered one of the most promising renewable sources for powering EV charging infrastructure. Integrating solar power with EV charging stations enables sustainable transportation while reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. However, the integration of EV charging loads and solar energy systems into distribution networks introduces several power quality issues such as harmonic distortion, voltage fluctuations, reactive power imbalance, and power factor degradation. These disturbances arise mainly due to nonlinear loads and power electronic converters used in EV chargers and solar inverters. Poor power quality can affect the reliability and efficiency of power systems, leading to overheating of electrical equipment, increased transmission losses, and reduced system stability. This study proposes the design of a smart solar powered EV charging station with enhanced power quality using advanced inverter control techniques. The proposed system integrates a solar photovoltaic array, energy conversion units, EV charging modules, and a grid interface with an intelligent inverter control mechanism. The smart inverter employs advanced control algorithms such as pulse width modulation, reactive power control, and harmonic compensation to regulate voltage and current waveforms. These control strategies ensure stable power delivery and minimize total harmonic distortion in the distribution system. Simulation models are developed to analyze the performance of the proposed system under varying operating conditions including solar irradiation changes and EV charging demand variations. The results demonstrate that the proposed advanced inverter control significantly improves power quality by reducing harmonic distortion, stabilizing voltage profiles, and improving system power factor. The system also ensures efficient utilization of solar energy while maintaining compliance with international power quality standards. Therefore, the implementation of advanced inverter control in solar powered EV charging stations offers a reliable and efficient solution for future smart grid infrastructure.