Analysis of Unbalanced Voltage due to Varying Amounts Penetration of Rooftop PV in Distribution Network with Balanced Load Dhandis R. Jintaka, N. W. Priambodo, Brian Bramantyo S.D.A Harsono, Joko Hartono
PLN Research Institute
Abstract
The increased penetration of rooftop PV on distribution networks is triggered by the increasingly cheap prices of solar panels and free energy obtained from the sun, so that it will get closer to reach the grid parity. However, the massive rooftop PV without storage at medium and low voltages will cause power quality problems, namely increased of voltage fluctuations, unbalanced voltages and harmonics, besides the emergence of active load fluctuations and power factors on the nearest bus. This paper analyzes the increase in unbalanced voltages in the distribution network due to the massive rooftop PV without storage. In a balanced load configuration, the presence of rooftop PV in certain phases with varying amounts penetration will cause voltage imbalances in the distribution network. From the results of this simulation it can be concluded that with a higher number of rooftop PVs, the spread of rooftop PVs on a higher number of phases results in a smaller voltage imbalance than if the rooftop PV is only concentrated in one particular phase. Then, Longer network lengths provide greater imbalance compared to networks with shorter distances.
Keywords: rooftop PV, penetration level, unbalanced voltage, distribution network
