Performance improvement of 7 MW DC photovoltaic power plant in Thailand by using the active power control

This paper presents the performance improvement of a grid-scale distributed photovoltaic power plant by using the power control techniques and the battery energy storage system (BESS), in order to increase the power generation and avoid any disconnection due to the voltage problem. The 7 MW Solar PV plant connected with the medium (MV) distribution network that normally used the fixed power factor (PF) control was investigated. The experimental data of the main bus are given to verify the fixed PF method and to evaluate the voltage rise. However, the active power control by using the BESS also evaluated. The simulations have been carried out and demonstrated that the BESS has the potential to improve power quality and performance. Through control of the charging and discharging of the BESS, it is shown that the Solar farm output power can be controlled and can be smoothing of the grid voltage.