Optimization of Rooftop PV System Deployment for LV Distribution Network

This paper presents an optimal scheme for large deployment of single phase rooftop photovoltaic (RTPV) systems in a low voltage (LV) distribution network. A detailed investigation is carried out under three different cases for RTPV deployment at each load node as 1) fixed rating per phase; 2) rating proportional to the load at each node; 3) optimum rating obtained using an optimization algorithm. The objectives considered for the optimal selection of RTPV ratings are energy loss minimization and voltage unbalance across three phases apart from active and reactive power optimization. The RTPV systems are operated under volt-VAR control, to achieve the optimum power quality along with minimum losses. The network selected for the above study is IEEE 13 bus system so that the impact on each line and load is monitored. After analysis of the obtained results of 13 bus system, further investigation is carried out for IEEE 8500 node network to validate the proposed concepts. The obtained results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of optimum deployment of large number of RTPV systems in a LV distribution network to have good voltage profile and minimum energy loss under variable penetration level, load and solar irradiance.