Adjustment of photovoltaic inverter reactive power contribution to mitigate technical losses in distribution networks with distributed generation

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21712/lajer.2026.v13.n2.p32-45

Keywords:

Photovoltaic Systems; Distributed Generation; Technical Losses.

Abstract

This paper proposes a methodology and presents simulation results for adjusting the reactive power contribution of voltage-source inverters in photovoltaic (PV) systems connected to distribution networks. The study, developed in the MATPOWER environment, is based on the electrical characterization of a sample set of buses from the IEEE 33-bus system, identifying their original power factors, predominantly inductive. The main objective is to demonstrate how reactive power adjustment through a power factor control strategy enables PV systems to simultaneously inject active power and compensate the local load reactive power demand. Simulations incorporating photovoltaic systems at nine different buses quantify the maximum injectable active and reactive power, highlighting both the limitations and potential of using PV inverters as reactive power compensation devices. Results show a reduction of over 60% in active power losses and over 80% in reactive power losses when inverters operate as reactive power sources, along with an increase in voltage profiles at critical buses from minimum values of 0.91 pu to levels between 0.98 and 0.99 pu.

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Author Biographies

  • Luis Carlos Macedo Blasques, IFPA

    Luis Blasques is a Professor at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará - IFPA. He completed his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering, his Master's degree, and his Doctorate in Electrical Power Systems at the Federal University of Pará in 2002, 2005, and 2014, respectively. He is the leader of the Strategic Studies Group in Electrical Energy - G4E / IFPA. Between 2015 and 2018, he was seconded to the Government of the State of Pará to serve as Director of Professional and Technological Education at the Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Professional and Technological Education (SECTET). He served as First Secretary and First Treasurer of the Brazilian Solar Energy Association (ABENS) during the 2009–2010 and 2011–2012 biennia, respectively. He has 2 books, 1 book chapter, and several works published in journals and in the proceedings of scientific events. He is a reviewer for national and international journals and an ad-hoc consultant for research funding institutions in his field. He participates in research projects in the area of Electrical Engineering, with emphasis on renewable energies and energy efficiency. In his Lattes Curriculum, the most frequent terms in the contextualization of his scientific and technological output are: renewable energies, solar energy, wind energy, electric power generation, energy generation systems, hybrid systems, economic analysis, and energy efficiency.

  • Samir Camil Yazbek Salame, IFPA

    Electrical Engineering Student, IFPA (2021). Member of the Strategic Studies Group in Electrical Energy – G4E (IFPA).

  • Wendell Azevedo da Silva, IFPA

    Estratégicos em Energia Elétrica - G4E (IFPA).

    17:34    

    Here is the translation:

    Electrical Engineering student, IFPA (2021). Electrical Technician, IFPA (2019). Industrial Refrigeration (2019–2021). Working in Photovoltaic Solar Energy (2021 – Present). Member of the Strategic Studies Group in Electrical Energy – G4E (IFPA).

References

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Published

09/03/2026

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Engenharias

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Latin American Journal of Energy Research

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How to Cite

Carlos Macedo Blasques, L., Camil Yazbek Salame, S. and Azevedo da Silva, W. (2026) “Adjustment of photovoltaic inverter reactive power contribution to mitigate technical losses in distribution networks with distributed generation”, Latin American Journal of Energy Research, 13(2), pp. 32–45. doi:10.21712/lajer.2026.v13.n2.p32-45.