Maximum PV generation estimation tool for residential low voltage feeders: First-stage

Growing penetrations of distributed PV generation in electrical distribution systems has a range of impacts including, notably, voltage rise in the network. This poses new challenges for electricity industry operation and planning. Existing planning tools are not necessarily appropriate in this changing context. This paper presents a novel tool for estimating the maximum PV generation that can be integrated into low voltage feeders without breaching the upper voltage limit. This is an exercise which would normally require the use of licensed power flow analysis software. The tool provides maximum PV generation estimates that are close to those calculated by power flow analysis software package DIgSILENT while being easily implemented in standard spreadsheet software. The tool can therefore simplify the task of distribution utilities in operating and planning their networks when facing growing distributed PV penetrations.