Why only capacitors only are used to mainten power factor?

Question

Why only capacitors only are used to mainten power factor?

Answer 1

In practice, capacitors, which have a leading power factor, are used to correct the lagging power factor of inductive loads, such as motors.  Correcting the power factor reduces the reactive current drawn by the load.  Capacitors are not the only method to correct power factor.   A synchronous motor operating at higher than synchronous speed has a leading power factor and is used for power factor correction of large inductive loads.

Answer 2

They aren't. Inductors are also used.

The next time you go past a power substation, look carefully and you will see big coils. Those are power factor inductors.

Capacitors are frequently used because motor loads (which are very common) are inductive and the capacitors counteract the inductive load.

Answer 3

Because they only store energy and do not manipulate it.  Capacitors delay propagation of energy by storing and  accumulating the energy until reaches a certain voltage.  Once that level is reached the energy is discharged.