Impact of residential utility-interactive PV-power systems on the utility

Abstract

The results of a study of the potential impact of a significant number of utility-interactive photovoltaic power systems on an electric utility distribution feeder are reported. The study was done using a computer simulation of a utility feeder. The computer simulation was based on measurements of voltage and load at the substation for the feeder, as well as simultaneous measurements of the performance of a residential PV system operating in the same geographical area. The performance of this PV system was used to model the effects of varying numbers of PV sources on the feeder. The effects of PV-generated power on the distribution system voltage, the line losses and the power demand at the substation are reported. Different inverter power factors were considered. Harmonic voltages due to inverter harmonic currents were studied.