Influence of Photovoltaic Microgeneration on the Demand Profile and its Effects on the Grid Power Quality

The connection of small-scale photovoltaic (PV) generation into the grid requires attention to the changes in load curve profile, the harmonic components in the current waveform, and the customer power factor (PF) variation measured by the grid operator. This paper evaluates aspects that can influence the power quality (PQ) in point of common coupling (PCC) due to PV generation's insertion in the distribution grid, given the consumer demand profile. That evaluation considers different inverter loading percentage situations and the effects of the consumer's electric current considering its active and non-active components. This study used four grid-connected PV systems and a programmable electronic load to perform tests at different load demand situations. A data acquisition system collects the voltage waveforms at the PCC, and the grid's current waveforms, load, and PV inverter. Thus, it is possible to evaluate the effects of load profile (current intensity and waveform) on PQ at the PCC. At this point, there are different values of active and non-active currents, total harmonic distortion (THD), and PF when measured from the PV system, the grid, or the load sides. Depending on where the measure is, the PV system can cause a false impression of reducing the grid PQ