Analysis of the harmonic distortion impact of photovoltaic generation in Brazilian residential networks

In Brazil, in spite of the outstanding solar irradiance levels, the installed amount of photovoltaic (PV) generation was practically inexistent until two years ago. This scenario started to change with the publication of resolution #482/2012 by the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency, which establishes the main technical and commercial rules for residential power generation. This paper presents an overview of the current and near future scenarios of residential PV generation in Brazil, including regulatory aspects. The largest Brazilian field project on PV integration (about to start in 2014) is described. Since PV arrays use power electronic inverters, the imminence of a high PV penetration has raised utilities attention to its potential impacts on system harmonic distortion levels. In such context, this paper also identifies, through extensive simulations, the key factors influencing PV impacts on harmonic distortion level. It is found that the most important factors are: network loading level; PV connection point; and PV power factor.