Impacts Analysis on the Power Grid due the Insertion of Photovoltaic Generation Systems.
Power Quality, Distributed Generation, Photovoltaic Systems, MPPT,
Photovoltaic Penetration.
Power quality (PQ) has been severely affected by the increasing number of renewable
energy sources connected to low voltage distribution networks. This study evaluates the
impact on the utility grid due to varying penetration levels of photovoltaic installations.
As a case study, an unbalanced 10 KWp photovoltaic plant, composed by three system topologies,
is analyzed from the point of common coupling (PCC) of a 15 KVA substation:
a fixed 8 KWp three-phase system topology, a fixed 1 KWp single phase system topology
and a trackable 1 KWp single phase system topology. These photovoltaic systems contains
power electronics based devices, such as IGBT based inverters, for example, which
are responsible for affecting voltage and/or current waveform, deteriorating the PQ. From
PQ indexes assessment (power characteristics, voltage and current harmonics and imbalances
of the system and power factor regulation, an analysis of the impact due to the
photovoltaic system penetration regarding to the substation rated power will be done. The
indexes will be evaluated and compared with national standards set by module 8 of the
Distribution Procedures (PRODIST) and international standards imposed by IEEE and
IEC, with the aim of evaluating the performance of the photovoltaic installation.