Implications of Reactive Power Control on the design of

PV Systems
November 2015

The electricity distribution utilities in Queensland recently introduced a requirement for

Reactive Power Control requirements affect the design of all PV systems in a similar way
– whether they be based on microinverters, conventional string inverters, or DC
optimisers. In this paper we will summarise the key points that are critical for PV
system designers and installers to understand when working with RPC.

Terminology
Prior to looking at some worked examples of relative power calculations it might be
useful to review the common AC circuit terminology as it relates to reactive power
calculations.

• Active power / Real Power / True Power is measured in Watts (W)

The relationship between active, apparent and reactive power is understood with the
use of the ‘power triangle’:

Power factor is defined as the ratio of the active power flowing to the load to the
apparent power, and is expressed as a value between 0 and 1. The power factor can be
leading or lagging, depending on whether the load is predominantly capacitive or
inductive. Most residential installations would typically have a power factor of around
0.9 lagging, however commercial/industrial installations can often have power factors
lower than this – in the range of 0.7 to 0.9.

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 Why do we need Reactive Power Inverter Sizing
Control on grid connect inverters?
The detailed electrical theory behind
All AC loads which contain inductance reactive power control makes for great
or capacitance require both active lunchtime conversation for the
power (measured in Watts - W) and engineers at AC Solar Warehouse, but
reactive power (measured in Volt Amps for most PV system designers it is the
Reactive – VAR) in order to operate. In implications for design, rather than the
the past, when all grid connected theory behind RPC which is most
inverters were set to operate at unity important to understand. The
(1.0) power factor, PV systems would implications for designers will be
supply the active power requirements of summarised here, but feel free to
an installation only, leaving the utility to contact AC Solar Warehouse if you’re
supply the reactive power component interested in understanding the theory
required by the load. In most cases behind this explanation.
utilities do not get paid for supplying
reactive power, so some would say it Inverter apparent power capacity is
was inevitable that once the enabling measured in Volt Amps (VA).
inverter technology arrived, utilities Historically, when inverters operated at
would change their connection unity power factor, the apparent power
requirements to require PV systems to rating of an inverter (VA) was equal in
meet both the active and reactive power value to the active power rating (W) so
requirements of an installation. these terms were often used
interchangeably. In the world of
reactive power control, however, this is
A further reason for the introduction of no longer the case, so the relationship
reactive power requirements is that PV between apparent power (inverter
systems which supply both active and capacity) and active power needs to be
reactive power in the approximate clearly understood. Thankfully, it is a
proportions required by the loads they relatively simple relationship as shown
are supplying, do not have the effect of in the following formula:
pushing up the AC voltage in the same
way that systems which only supply Apparent Power (VA) x Power Factor
active power do. RPC systems, = Active Power (W)
therefore, have less of an effect on the
network – meaning that more and/or For example:
larger PV systems may be able to be An inverter rated at 5kVA set to operate
connected to the existing electricity at 0.9 power factor will have an active
distribution network without it having power rating of 5 x 0.9 = 4.5kW.
to be modified or upgraded. Similarly, a microinverter rated at 260VA
and set to operate at 0.9 power factor
will have an active power rating of 260 x
Reactive Power Control can be 0.9 = 234W.
implemented in several ways – inverters
can either set to supply a specific ratio of Note that when RPC is implemented,
active to reactive power, or set to utilities always refer to system size in
dynamically match the reactive power terms of the inverter apparent power
requirements of the load as these capacity measured in kVA. System
change over time. Currently, utilities in connection approvals issued by
Australia only require inverters to be set distribution utilities will specify inverter
to a fixed power factor – usually in the capacity in kVA at a given power factor,
range of 0.8 to 0.95 lagging. as opposed to kW.

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 Installer Tip #1
When working with RPC, the inverter size in VA needs to be calculated correctly to
ensure that the inverter will be capable of supplying the desired amount of active
power (W)

Array sizing
One of the most critical issues to
understand with RPC, is that the output For a string system design requiring a
of an array of PV modules is unaffected 5kWp array and operating at 0.9 power
by the reactive power control setting. factor…
Twenty modules on a north facing roof Minimum inverter capacity = [5kWp x
will produce exactly the same amount 0.75] / 0.9
of energy (kWh) on a given day whether
the inverter is set to unity, 0.9 or 0.8 Minimum required inverter capacity =
power factor. What is important is that 4.17kVA
the inverter is sized appropriately so that And for a microinverter system design
this energy from the modules can be using 250Wp modules…
fully utilised. For example, if a system
designer chooses to design a system Minimum inverter capacity = [250Wp x
where the inverter size matches the 0.75] / 0.9
peak rating of the array (i.e. no array Minimum required inverter capacity =
oversizing) then the inverter capacity 208VA
would be calculated as follows:
The array oversizing ratio should be
carefully checked on RPC system
Inverter capacity (VA) = Peak power rating of
the array / power factor designs as it is based on the nominal
active power rating of the inverter (W)
For a string system design requiring a when adjusted for the power factor at
5kWp array and operating at 0.9 power which the system is being operated. The
factor… array cannot have a peak rating of more
than 133% of the nominal AC active
Inverter capacity = 5kWp / 0.9 power rating of the inverter.
Minimum required inverter capacity = For example, a 5.5kWp array on a 5kVA
5.55kVA string inverter set to 0.9 PF would have
And for a microinverter system design an array oversizing ratio of:
using 250Wp modules… Nominal AC active power rating of the
Inverter capacity = 250Wp / 0.9 inverter = 5kVA X 0.9 = 4.5kW
Array oversizing ratio = array capacity /
Minimum required inverter capacity= inverter capacity = 5.5kWp / 4.5kW = 122%
278VA
And for a microinverter system design
If a system designer chooses to oversize using 250Wp modules on a 220VA
the array to the full extent allowed microinverter the array oversizing ratio
under the Clean Energy Council System would be:
Design Guidelines ii then the minimum
inverter capacity would be calculated as Nominal AC active power rating of the
follows: inverter = 220VA X 0.9 = 198W
Array oversizing ratio = array capacity /
Minimum inverter capacity (VA) = [Peak inverter capacity = 250Wp / 198W = 126%
power rating of the array x 0.75] / power
factor

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 Installer Tip #2
The array oversizing ratio should be carefully checked on RPC system designs
because if the array is oversized to suit a system designed to operate at unity power
factor, and the inverter is then set to operate at a power factor of 0.9 or 0.8, there is a
serious risk that the array oversizing ratio will exceed the maximum allowable under
the CEC guidelines. This has serious legal implications because when signing forms
to claim small-scale technology certificates (STCs) the designer must certify that the
system is designed in accordance with the CEC design guidelines.

 
Microinverter RPC Systems
Enphase Energy S-Series microinverters are currently the only microinverters available
on the Australian market that provide RPC functionality. There are two models
available and their ratings at various power factor settings are shown in the following
table.

The engineers at AC Solar Warehouse are well versed in RPC system design and are very
happy to assist system designers in the selection of appropriate modules and inverters
for specific system designs.
For further information or assistance with the design of microinverter systems, contact
Australia’s leading AC Solar wholesaler, AC Solar Warehouse.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 55 44 67
                                                                                                               
i
As of October 1 2015 Reactive Power Control is required on most residential and small commercial grid connected PV
systems in Queensland larger than 3kVA in the Energex distribution area and 2kVA in the Ergon area. Specific
requirements can be obtained from Ergon Energy and Energex or by contacting AC Solar Warehouse.

ii
Section 9.4 of the “Clean Energy Council Grid-Connected Solar PV Systems (No Battery Storage), Design Guidelines for
Accredited Installers, January 2013” requires that the nominal AC power output (in this case taking into account the
power factor setting of the inverter) cannot be less than 75% of the array peak power. Please refer to these guidelines for
further details.  

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