Solar power system for induction motor soft-starting and power compensation, and related methods

A solar power system for induction motor soft-starting and power compensation, the system comprising:

• an induction motor;
• a solar microinverter adapted to provide an AC power output from incident solar radiation, the AC power output comprising photovoltaic reactive power (QPV) and optionally photovoltaic active power (PPV);
• and
• a relay system electrically coupled to the induction motor, the solar microinverter, and a power grid access point adapted to provide an AC power comprising grid reactive power (QG) and grid active power (PG), wherein the relay system is adapted to operate in at least a first state, a second state, a third state, and optionally a fourth state in which:
• in the first state of the relay system, the induction motor and the solar microinverter are in electrical connection, the induction motor and the power grid access point are in electrical isolation, and the solar microinverter and the power grid access point are in electrical isolation;
• in the second state of the relay system, the induction motor, the solar microinverter, and the power grid access point are in electrical connection with each other;
• in the third state of the relay system, the induction motor and the solar microinverter are in electrical isolation, the induction motor and the power grid access point are in electrical isolation, and the solar microinverter and the power grid access point are in electrical connection;
• and
• in the fourth state of the relay system, the induction motor, the solar microinverter, and the power grid access point are in electrical isolation with each other.