The integration of a voltage stabiliser into a photovoltaic park is an effective solution to improve the quality of the energy supplied to the consumers and ensure the system’s operational continuity.
In particular, voltage fluctuations beyond ±10% of the nominal value can cause photovoltaic inverters to shut down, interrupting energy production and reducing system efficiency.
Let’s look at the benefits of installing an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) and the two main possible configurations.
THE BENEFITS OF THE AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE REGULATOR
- Improved energy quality: reduction of voltage fluctuations and consequent stable energy supply to loads.
- Load protection: prevention of damage or malfunctioning due to excessive voltage fluctuations.
- Operational continuity: minimising the risk of inverter shutdown due to overvoltage and/or undervoltage exceeding 10% of nominal value.
- Optimisation of photovoltaic production: maintaining optimal operating conditions of the system.
INSTALLATION OPTIONS IN A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM
Automatic voltage regulator on the utility branch (upstream PV)
In this case the voltage stabiliser performs its function independently of the relationship between the grid and the photovoltaic system working in parallel.
This makes it possible to:
- Stabilise the voltage supplied to the loads without altering the interaction between grid and photovoltaic system.
- Compensate for voltage fluctuations generated by the photovoltaic system, as well as by the grid, improving energy quality.
However, this configuration does not prevent the inverter from shutting down in the event of grid overvoltage.
Automatic voltage regulator on grid branch (downstream PV)
With this configuration, the stabiliser is installed between the grid and the PV system, operating bidirectionally.
In this case, the coupling system between the grid and the photovoltaic system is altered. Its operation must therefore be bound by the CEI 0-21 standard and must provide an additional bypass function, appropriately signalled, in the event of BOTH of the following conditions occurring:
- The flow of energy produced by the photovoltaic is directed to the grid and not to the loads.
- The grid voltage exceeds the permitted tolerance of ±10% of the nominal value.
The main advantages with this configuration are:
- Stabilisation of the voltage supplied to the loads with a tolerance of ±0.5%.
- Protection of the photovoltaic system from mains overvoltage.
- Voltage stabilisation to ensure optimal inverter operation.
- Avoidance of interference with inverter protection systems and consequent shutdown.
The power range of the voltage stabilisers offered by Ortea is between 100kVA and 6000kVA. The choice of configuration depends on the specific needs of the system and the level of protection required.
The adoption of an automatic voltage regulator is an effective strategy to ensure greater efficiency and reliability of the PV park, avoiding production losses due to voltage fluctuations.
Discover our range of voltage stabilisers: https://www.orteanext.com/products/voltage-stabilisers/
