Influence of compact fluorescent lamps on the power quality of weak low-voltage networks supplied by autonomous photovoltaic stations

The principal goal of this research is to determine the influence of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) harmonics on the voltage distortion of a weak electric network supplied by an autonomous photovoltaic (PV) station. The total harmonic distortion factor at all points of the electric network must be under 5%. The power electronics of a PV station and other highly non-linear loads such as CFLs induce undesirable harmonic components and cause serious problems at the network power quality. For that reason, a specific methodology is developed, which uses data from field measurements of the harmonic content and other characteristic measurements of the PV station supplied electric network of the island of Arki. Then, after simulating the whole network, a harmonic flow analysis takes place showing the extent that CFLs influence the power quality. The conclusions drawn from this analysis are important and must be taken into account in every electric network design.