Impacts of distributed photovoltaics on network voltages: Stochastic simulations of three Swedish low-voltage distribution grids

The continuously increasing application of distributed photovoltaics (PV-DG) in residential areas around the world calls for detailed assessment of distribution grid impacts. Both photovoltaic generation and domestic electricity demand exhibit characteristic variations on short and long time scales and are to a large extent negatively correlated, especially at high latitudes. This paper presents a stochastic methodology for simulation of PV-DG impacts on low-voltage (LV) distribution grids, using detailed generation and demand models. The methodology is applied to case studies of power flow in three existing Swedish LV grids to determine load matching, voltage levels and network losses at different PV-DG penetration levels. All studied LV grids can handle significant amounts of PV-DG, up to the highest studied level of 5 kW(p) PV per household. However, the benefits of PV-DG in terms of relative improvement of on-site reduction of demand, mitigated voltage drops and reduced losses were most significant at a penetration level of 1 kW(p) PV per household. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.