Supraharmonic Measurement at a PV Plant: The PQA8000H at Work

Posted by Neo Messtechnik
On 28. September 2026
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Grid-connected PV plants often need to prove that the harmonic currents they feed into the network stay within allowed limits – and getting that proof takes more than a quick check. A recent article on harmonic measurement at PV plants walks through exactly when and how that measurement is done, from the certification requirements down to a real-world example with the NEO PQA8000H, connected directly at the grid connection point.

When a Measurement Becomes Necessary

Solar inverters feed power into the grid using switching electronics, which can generate harmonic currents alongside the standard 50 Hz waveform. For larger PV plants – particularly those connected via their own transformer station to the medium-voltage grid – certification bodies typically require proof that these harmonic emissions stay within the limits set at the grid connection point. That proof usually starts as a calculation. If the calculation shows the limits might be exceeded, a real measurement on the completed plant becomes necessary.

Where and How It’s Measured

The article makes a point that’s easy to underestimate: the measurement has to happen at the actual grid connection point, on the medium-voltage side. Measuring on the low-voltage side of the plant transformer isn’t a reliable substitute, since the transformer’s frequency-dependent behaviour distorts the readings in ways that are hard to correct for afterwards. That means working with the medium-voltage instrument transformers already in place, capturing three-phase currents and voltages, harmonics, interharmonics and supraharmonics simultaneously, across a period with enough variation in PV output to be representative.

💡 Want to learn more about the PQA8000H? Visit the product page: PQA8000H

The PQA8000H in This Setup

This is exactly the kind of setup the PQA8000H is built for. Measuring reliably from the fundamental frequency up through the supraharmonic range, under real, fluctuating feed-in conditions, is what turns a calculated compliance risk into a documented, defensible measurement report.

👉 Read the full article (German)

We’re here for you

If you’re facing a similar harmonic measurement requirement at a PV plant, or have any questions, feel free to reach out via email or telephone – or we’d be happy to arrange an online consultation or product demonstration. We’re happy to talk through how the PQA8000H fits into that process.

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