Measurement based power quality analysis of real distribution networks with high PV penetration

The growth of photovoltaic (PV) systems connection into distribution networks is presenting new challenges to distribution utilities. To prepare itself for this new scenario, CPFL Energia has installed 231 PV systems, totalizing 885 kWp, into a same distribution area in Brazil, to serve as a living laboratory for research. During this project, extensive power quality (PQ) measurements were conducted in different transformers and customers. This paper presents the results of this measurement based PQ analysis for this real distribution networks with high PV penetration. The results show that the most significant PQ issues found related with massive PV penetration are, in order, voltage magnitude rise, current harmonic distortion, voltage unbalance and voltage harmonic distortion.