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After installing photovoltaic systems, consumers face fines for excess reactive energy, highlighting the need for load studies and technical adjustments to avoid imbalances in energy supply and guarantee the efficiency and savings promised by solar energy.
If you have solar energy at home or in your business, pay attention! Installing a solar system can unintentionally lead to fines for something called “reactive energy.” That subject matters especially for those who use solar energy in large quantities, such as industries or large businesses, but it is good for everyone to know to avoid surprises.
Reactive power is necessary for equipment like engines to function well. If it is too much, the energy company may impose fines. The solar system offers equal active and reactive loads. The problem is that some inverters do not provide the minimum power factor required by ANEEL. To avoid this problem and face fines, you can adjust the frequency inverter to provide the minimum factor required, the solar system to also generate reactive energy or use extra equipment, such as b
Fine for reactive energy mainly affects companies or places with high energy consumption
Understanding better, this problem of fine for reactive energy It mainly affects companies or places with high energy consumption, such as industries or large commercial buildings that adopt solar energy. For the average user, in small homes or smaller installations, this is generally not a concern as the impact of reactive power is minor and rarely results in fines.
Small consumers, common users are classified as CLASS B consumers and regardless of the reactive energy generated, they cannot be fined. If this occurs, the consumer can report the local distributor to ANEEL!!!
In accordance with ANEEL NORMATIVE RESOLUTION No. 1.000, OF DECEMBER 7, 2021(*)
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Section VIII
Power Factor and Surplus Reactive
Art. 302. The reference power factor “fR”, inductive or capacitive, has the minimum allowable limit of 0,92 for the group A consumer unit.
Art. 303. The distributor cannot charge the group B consumer unit, which does not have a reference power factor, for the consumption of excess reactive electrical energy.
To avoid fines and ensure that solar energy is efficient, it is crucial to plan the system correctly. This includes checking whether the solar inverter has the minimum required power factor (0,92) and whether it can adjust the amount of reactive power supplied, which can balance consumption and avoid extra costs.
However, adjusting the reactive power in the inverter can reduce the active power generated. According to a technical article presented at the VIII national solar energy congress.
If you are a business owner or manager of a large installation that uses solar energy, it is important to talk to an expert to evaluate your system and make any necessary adjustments. This way, you maximize the benefits of solar energy, avoid fines and ensure that your investment in solar energy is economical and sustainable in the long term.
Capacitor banks
In addition to tuning the inverter, another solution is to install capacitor banks. These devices help control and balance reactive energy, preventing it from exceeding the limit and causing fines. This is especially useful for large installations that have constant demand for reactive power.
The important thing is that, when planning or reviewing a solar energy system, with powers greater than 75 kWp, which are classified as class A consumers, reactive energy is considered from the beginning. This will ensure that the system is efficient and does not bring financial surprises in the future. In short, it’s not enough to just install solar panels; it is necessary to understand and manage how they interact with the total electrical grid, including the reactive energy part.
For those in solar energy industry, whether as a supplier, installer or end user, it is essential to be aware of these technical aspects. This way, you ensure efficient and economical operation of the solar system, avoiding regulatory problems and maximizing the return on investment in clean and renewable energy.
Contact an expert in the field
Interested in discovering the potential of solar energy for your project or enterprise? Meet Bruno Lowczy, an expert with 10 years of experience in the renewable energy sector. Graduating in Computer Engineering and an Electrotechnical technician for 8 years, as well as specializing in Renewable Energy for the last 4 years, Bruno is ready to help you explore the innovations and benefits of solar energy. For consultancy and partnerships, connect with him on LinkedIn, send an email to blowczy@gmail.com or send a message via WhatsApp on (11) 97656-1952
From what I know, reactive energy is waste, unused energy. The text doesn't seem technically correct to me.
Reactive energy isn't exactly waste, it's a necessary part of the energy that helps power things like motors and transformers. But if we have too much, it can be a problem. This happens when the power factor, which shows the relationship between useful and total energy, falls below 0,92. If this occurs, the company could be fined because it is using more energy than it should to do the job.
The article has been updated, thank you very much for your collaboration!!!
The text is technically wrong. Photovoltaic systems have a power factor of 1, but allow adjustment from -1 to +1. I doubt the installers are willing to touch this, because they don't know what it is. Furthermore, reactive energy is an angular difference between current and voltage, being positive for inductive loads (I turn off the machine, the voltage goes, but the current “zeroes” a few degrees later) or capacitive, which is the case of a bank of capacitors, and which cancels the reactive. It can also be caused by harmonic distortion of the current, especially those of low order (up to the eleventh harmonic). The meters used in group B installations, for the most part, do not measure this. For medium voltage devices in group A, it is possible to quantize and charge, but only what is outside the limit of 0,92 and within the 15m sampling interval. It is not done in real time. Therefore, the article is not technically correct, and completely wrong regarding group B consumers, both commercial and residential.
It is important to understand that while reactive power management is a crucial part of power systems, the specific details of how it is applied and charged may vary depending on the type of installation and consumer group. I would like to discuss this further, can you send me an email? Rafafabris11@gmail.com
Hi João, I just updated the entire article. (Time 15:40)
João my dear, your comment is great but I come with some observations:
There is no photovoltaic system with power factor 1, there is a fine for reactive in photovoltaic systems for class A consumers, type B consumer clock does not measure reactive at all, only consumers A with tariff modality B
Solar inverter has resistive fp (default=1) friend. And even, if you want, you can even adjust it to help correct existing fps in the location, working as if it were a capacitor bank.
Mr João Dias' text is very correct.
Great Bruno, man I see some inconsistencies in your comment. Yes, photovoltaic inverters work with FP=1 by default, this even ensures that they have the highest possible efficiency, generally when you adjust the FP below 1, there is a reduction in the energy generated, as the output current increases to the point of reaching the limit of the inverter and this limits generation due to current and not due to active power. There is also a reduction in efficiency as part of the energy generated by photovoltaic modules is transformed into reactive energy (which does not generate work).
Yes, group A consumers are charged based on consumption and demand, and must maintain the installation's PF from 06:00 to 23:59 between any capacitive value and 1 or between 1 and any value above 0,92 Inductive, in the period from 00:00 to 06:00 the scenario is reversed. Finally, most bidirectional clocks I know measure reactive power (they don't measure PF), but the utility doesn't charge group B consumers.
He explained, but with difficulty, without clarity, it was like news in the air. Be objective and clear.
Some inconsistencies in the matter need to be reviewed.
I recommend it for your reading and study.
https://canalsolar.com.br/controle-do-fator-de-potencia-dos-inversores-fotovoltaicos/