Flicker Estimation Associated with PV Integrated Distribution Network

The interest for solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems installation has been recently increasing due to their reducing cost and high electricity price from the utilities. However, the PV power generation is sensitive to variable solar irradiation, which causes technical difficulties related to power quality and control. Severity of those problems directly depends on PV penetration level, grid design and geographic location. This paper explores the flicker indices of grid-tied PV power plant, one of the major power quality issues. The study has been carried out on a real grid-integrated PV system, situated at Engineering Center, Florida International University (FIU). The field measurements of various solar output power and flicker quantifying indices at the point of common coupling (PCC) have been recorded using data acquisition system and power quality meter respectively. The collected data has been categorized and analyzed for voltage fluctuations and flicker. Different approaches have been done to investigate the influence of PV power plant on the flicker indices. Results show that solar output power has a marginal effect towards flicker indices with existing penetration level. Load connection and variation are the key indicators of high flicker value during observation time.