This work dealt with the design and development of a distributed static compensator (DSTATCOM) for a solar photovoltaic-based grid integrated power system. The DSTATCOM injects or absorbs the reactive power in the power system which maintains the power quality of the power system. The solar photovoltaic-based grid integrated system is comprised of a multi-stage power electronic interface where a quadratic boost converter with a voltage multiplier cell and three-phase DC-AC voltage source inverter are used. The QBC-VMC converter is controlled using variable step size maximum power point tracking. The icos $\varphi$ scheme was used for reference current generation as it provides better %THD than the instantaneous reactive power transfer scheme. For DC and AC voltage control, PI controllers were used. Different case studies were considered for the DSTATCOM and respective simulation and experimental analysis was provided. The icos $\varphi$-PI controller control scheme provides lower %THD that is in accordance with the IEEE-519 standard.