A comprehensive solar PV hosting capacity in MV and LV radial distribution networks

Abstract

With the increasing adoption of solar PV generation system, it is essential to analyze the impacts to the distribution system especially if PV units is installed in both MV and LV network. This paper develops a methodology that determines the solar PV hosting capacity of a distribution network considering the effect between the interactions of MV and LV network at different voltage levels. A comprehensive approach was used including complete LV network modeling characteristics. The interaction between the MV and LV network offers an advantage to other approaches described in the literature. A modified 25-bus test system with complete MV and LV network model was tested and an integrated MV-LV power flow solution was used to analyze the impacts on its interactions. Peak and off-peak load conditions of different customer types were also considered. Aggregate installation was examined and it was shown that single solar PV installation is sufficient for the hosting capacity quantification. Also, LV network hosting capacity installations have minimal effect on the MV network. Results show that the main limitation of MV hosting capacity is the LV network voltage problems.