Optimal sizing and location of large PV plants on radial distribution feeders for minimum line losses

Suitable procedure for optimal sizing and location of multiple Photovoltaic Distributed Generators (PVDG) on radial distribution feeders has been developed. The optimization objective is to minimize the accumulated line power loss over the day (line energy loss) along the feeder, while keeping the voltage profile along the feeder with the statutory limits. A method has been applied to rate the line energy loss considering one time interval, namely Feasible Optimization Interval. An effective method to help determine feasible iterative steps has been developed. The procedure has been applied on actual 11kV feeder. The application showed obvious benefits in terms of line loss reduction and improvement of the voltage profile. Alternative feasible solutions have been produced in case the optimal solution cannot be applied for any reason -like inconvenience/limitation of land or investment.