Systems and methods for regulating power in renewable energy sources

A regulated renewable energy system comprising:

• one or more renewable energy sources having a combined output coupled to a utility grid;
• one or more measuring instruments configured to provide measurements of at least apparent power and power factor;
• and
• one or more computer processors operable to:
• regulate active power produced by the renewable energy source towards an apparent power setpoint;
• determine that a state of switch corresponds to power factor foldback or voltage foldback;
• and
• based on the determination selectively regulate voltage based on the power factor foldback, the power factor being regulated based at least in part on a power factor angle magnitude setpoint, or based on the voltage foldback, the voltage being regulated based at least in part on measured volts-amps reactives (VARs) and an apparent power ratio, the apparent power ratio being about equal to an apparent power divided by the apparent power setpoint, wherein the power factor foldback and the voltage foldback are associated with the renewable energy source.

An apparatus for controlling power produced by a solar energy source, the apparatus comprising:

• one or more measuring instruments configured to provide measurements of at least apparent power and power factor;
• and,
• one or more computer processors operable to:
• regulate active power produced by the solar energy source towards an apparent power setpoint;
• determine that a state of switch corresponds to power factor foldback or voltage foldback;
• and
• based on the determination selectively regulating voltage based on the power factor foldback, the power factor being regulated based at least in part on a power factor angle magnitude setpoint, or based on the voltage foldback, the voltage being regulated based at least in part on measured volts-amps reactives (VARs) and an apparent power ratio, the apparent power ratio being about equal to an apparent power divided by the apparent power setpoint, wherein the power factor foldback and the voltage foldback are associated with the renewable energy source.