Analysis of Voltage Unbalance and Energy Loss in Residential Low Voltage Distribution Systems with Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems

Abstract

This paper investigates effects of voltage unbalance and energy losses due to the connection of rooftop photovoltaic systems in a low voltage distribution system of a housing estate, which has light loads during daytime. The paper presents a case study of a real distribution power system of housing estate in Thailand. Voltage unbalance and energy losses were simulated by using system characteristic and load data from GIS database of PEA with the DIgSILENT Power Factory program. The key findings of our analysis are as follows. Firstly, the number of installable 1-phase rooftop PV systems varies directly with load density. Secondly, the number of installed 1-phase rooftop PV systems can be increased if the installation locations are closer to the transformer. For 3-phase rooftop PV systems, their installations do not have any effects on the voltage unbalance. Furthermore, system energy loss relates to the load density and PV system installation locations in the same way as the voltage unbalance. The key implication of our study is that the installation of 1-phase rooftop PV system should be granted based on a careful consideration of the installation location and the load density.