Bus Voltage Violations under Different Solar Radiation Profiles and Load Changes with Optimally Placed and Sized PV Systems

This study mainly discusses the implications of solar radiation profiles and changes in load with respect to base load conditions on the PV placement, size, voltage violations, and curtailment cost of PV generation in the network. The PV installation is optimized using yearly solar radiation profiles, low, medium, and high, corresponding to three different locations. The network in the study is represented as a multiphase, with provision for the installation of both single- and three-phase PV systems. For the different load changes in either one of the phases or all three phases, the optimal placement and size of PV inverters are discussed. It is indicated that with load increase in all three phases, for low solar radiation profiles, the placement and size of PVs remain non-uniform, while for medium and high solar radiation, the distribution becomes comparatively uniform throughout the network. However, with a load increase in one of the phases, for low solar radiation, optimal placement compensates with three-phase PV installation, while for medium/high solar, the corresponding load increase phase contributes to greater PV installation. The voltage rise is observed at both load-connected and non-load-connected buses. Such buses in the network are those that form the common junction with the branches connected to another set of buses having optimally placed PVs. The voltage violations are experienced at the feeder end buses with single-phase PV installation, not only in the phase having a connected load but also in one of the other phases.

Automated summary

This study focuses on determining the impact of solar radiation profiles and load changes on the placement, size, voltage violations, and curtailment cost of PV generation in a network. The study optimizes PV installation using yearly solar radiation profiles for three different locations. It considers multiple phases and allows for the installation of single- and three-phase PV systems. The research analyzes the optimal placement and size of PV inverters for different load changes in one or all three phases. Results show that the distribution of PVs remains non-uniform for low solar radiation profiles but becomes more uniform for medium and high radiation. Furthermore, voltage violations occur at both load-connected and non-load-connected buses, particularly at feeder end buses with single-phase PV installation.