Overvoltage Issues Due to Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Integration at Low Voltage (LV) Side

Abstract

In Sri Lanka, due to the current power suspense, solar power harnessing intends to increase significantly with the support from the government renewable energy policy. As a result, deployment of Photovoltaic (PV) systems integrated with Low Voltage (LV) system has been increasing rapidly over the past years. However, the penetration of grid connected PV systems without proper regulatory framework by the power distribution authorities has led to number of issues such as voltage fluctuations, voltage rise, over voltage issues and increase power dissipations. Abnormal voltage rises have been observed in solar inverters at different locations of the country. Several complaints regarding inverter tripping and incidents related to damages to electrical appliances have been reported to solar companies and power distribution authorities. In this research, a selected, real distribution system with an abnormal voltage rise was studied and simulated with MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) Simulink. A detailed analysis of the feeder was carried out with the aid of the simulation to find the causes for the abnormal behavior. A software tool was developed to check whether a request to install an additional solar PV system of a given capacity at a given location on the feeder can be accommodated, and advice on the changes that may be required.