Photovoltaic-Based Distribution Generation System Integration Effects on the Power Quality Issues on Electrical Distribution Network

This paper investigates the effects of photovoltaic based distribution generators (PVDG) on the voltage profile, power factor and power losses of a part of the Saudi power distribution network. This study has been carried out under different load conditions with four PV capacities scenarios. The loads that considered are 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of the transformer load. In each case, the PV capacities scenarios are 15%, 30%, 45% and 60% of the load. Results show that PVDG aims to increase the voltage profile. As the PVDG acts as a current source which decrees the flow current from the swing bus that will decrease the voltage drop. Moreover, PVDG decreases the power losses as it injects real power to the electrical grid. In addition, the power factor decreases as the real power increases and the reactive power still on the same amount due to the PVDG considers as a real power source.