Study on three-phase photovoltaic systems under grid faults

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis in Matlab/ Simulink environment of a three-phase photovoltaic (PV) system under various types of symmetrical and asymmetrical grid faults. The fault response performance of the PV system takes into consideration the factors of ambient temperature and solar irradiance, grid codes, power control strategies, and utility grid conditions. Grid fault types occurring at different distances from the point of common coupling (PCC) of the PV system are simulated. The simulations presented in this paper show that the short circuit faults in the power grid have disturbing effects on optimal operation of grid-connected PV systems. The impact of grid faults on the PV systems performance depends on the grid fault type, and is less influenced by the distance of the fault occurrence. Symmetrical faults have a higher impact on performance than asymmetrical faults, both at the PCC and inside the PV system.