Approximate characterization of large Photovoltaic power plants at the Point of Interconnection

Abstract

The aim of the present article is that of proposing a calculation procedure to assess electric quantities at the Point of Interconnection (POI) of large PhotoVoltaic (PV) power plants on the basis of rated data and main design elements of the plant itself. The quantities of inters are active and reactive power available at the POI in order to extrapolate the power plant capability starting from the capabilities of PWM inverters. The procedure also allows evaluating the POI voltage variations, an important element due to the increasing requirements for renewable generation units to participate in voltage regulation. The main interest in such a methodology lays in its simplicity of application, that allows avoiding the usage of dedicated software for load flow calculations, and flexibility, that makes it suitable for the support of the bidding and pre-design phase of large photovoltaic power plants.