Power Quality Issues Concerning Photovoltaic Generation in Distribution Grids

Abstract

Unregulated utilization of renewable generation including residential photovoltaic (PV) systems can have a significant impact on load characteristics in distribution networks. For improving PV generation capabilities, power quality aspects have to be coordinated with present load characteristics. This paper discusses the harmonic content of PV generation and the influence to power quality indicators in residential distribution networks. PV generation measurement results including current harmonic amplitude and phase angle values are presented. Results of different modelling scenarios are analysed and a simplified model of harmonics in PVs is offered. The results of the study showed a moderate additional harmonic distortion in residential load current and voltage distortion at the substation’s busbar when PVs were added. Novelty of the paper is that harmonic current values at higher orders are presented and analysed. The results pointed out in this paper could be further used for modelling the actual harmonic loads of the PVs in distribution networks.