Sensitivity analysis of photovoltaic hosting capacity of distribution circuits

The decrease in PV panel cost has globally increased the residential PV installations in the distribution grid. Studies have shown that high PV penetration can cause overvoltage, voltage deviation and reverse power flow concern in the distribution grid. To avoid the grid concerns, the utilities typically limit the PV penetration in the distribution feeder. However, the PV hosting capacity limits of the distribution feeder depend on various key factors such as voltage class of the feeder, PV location, short circuit capacity, and presence of voltage regulation devices. This paper focuses on calculating the sensitivity of PV hosting capacity to various factors affecting it. The analysis is validated with the help of simplified feeder model and also with stochastic framework of analysis.