POWER CONVERTER

A power converter includes a power conversion circuit including a direct-current terminal connected to a solar cell panel, and an alternating-current terminal connected to an alternating-current power system, the power conversion circuit being configured to convert direct-current power generated by the solar cell panel into alternating-current power and to supply the alternating-current power to the alternating-current power system; a current detection unit configured to detect a direct current flowing between the solar cell panel and the power converter; and a control circuit including a power generation mode in which the control circuit controls the power conversion circuit to output active power generated from the direct-current power generated by the solar cell panel to the alternating-current power system, and a reactive power compensation mode in which the control circuit controls the power conversion circuit to output reactive power to the alternating-current power system, the control circuit being configured to perform mode switching between the power generation mode and the reactive power compensation mode based on a magnitude of the direct current detected by the current detection unit.