Distribution voltage rise at dense photovoltaic generation area and its suppression by SVC

An SVC is proposed as a reactive power compensation device to suppress the rise in the customer voltage due to photovoltaic power generation systems. The SVC produces a reactive power by controlling a thyristor. The effect of the SVC on the rise in the customer voltage has been investigated. Calculation results show that installing an SVC on the low‐voltage side is more effective for suppressing the rise in the customer voltage compared to an SVC located on the high‐voltage side. As far as the calculation conditions are concerned, it is found that the rated capacity of the SVC needed to maintain the customer voltage within 101±6V is over ±11.1kVA. The slope reactance required to suppress the customer voltage lower than 107 V is found to be under 1.28%. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 166(2): 47–53, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20478