Reducing distribution transformer's loss of life through determining the maximum permissible penetration of rooftop solar photovoltaic

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of increasing the penetration of rooftop solar photovoltaic on the distribution transformer's loss of life. Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is used to probabilistically estimate the hourly loading on the distribution transformer while the loss of life is estimated based on the distribution transformer' s thermal model. The results have shown that minimum impact on the distribution transformer's insulation life may be achieved only at 60% penetration of rooftop solar photovoltaic which can be considered as the maximum permissible PV penetration.