Photovoltaic inverter characterization testing on a physical distribution system

This paper presents results from testing a 135 kW inverter´s anti-islanding capabilities on a real test distribution feeder. The tests that were conducted are supplemental to current standards of anti-islanding testing, as various experiments are performed that are not all included in IEEE Standard 1547.1. These tests provide interesting insights to the operation of the system with the DG, as well as the inverter control system. Such tests that were carried out included: islanding with zero power mismatch between DG and load while varying P (also the quality factor), capacitor switching, motor start-up, and islanding with a motor. They were all performed on a physical distribution test system, using real distribution equipment, so no modeling assumptions or simplifications were made. The results of the tests are recorded and analyzed, and a discussion of the results and importance of the tests are presented.