Solar Photovoltaic Generation and its Integration Impact on the Existing Power Grid

Abstract

The availability of solar energy in large quantities from the sun has brought about the potential of rapid growth of large solar power generation with potential integration to the existing distribution and transmission networks. The continuous growth of solar power generation has brought about potential integration challenges and operation of the existing grid network for power utility system engineers. This research study attempts to highlight the steady state integration impacts of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation to existing transmission and distribution grids. The study looks at the steady state integration impacts on the existing network on system voltage level, line losses, voltage profile, voltage drop and on the stability of the network voltage. The study is carried out by modelling the existing transmission and distribution grid in the Northern Cape region of South Africa, known as the solar corridor using Matlab Software. The solar corridor was chosen due to its high solar resource averaging 2000w/mz and the considerable high investment in commercial solar photovoltaic generation. The study approach compared the steady state impact on the existing utility grid network without solar PV integration and with different penetration levels of solar photovoltaic generation. The study outcome has shown that the integration of solar PV generation on the existing grid has considerable effects on the voltage profile, line losses and voltage drop, and improvements in the steady state stability of the grid. The study concluded that the amount of PV generation integrated to the grid has a limit if the steady state stability of the existing grid is to be maintained.