Smart meter data to identify customer voltage fluctuations caused by solar PV

The intermittent nature of solar PV output, installed in distribution systems, may cause voltage fluctuations on the customer side. On the other hand, smart meters are widely deployed in the field as part of grid modernization efforts. This paper presents a fuzzy logic based analytical tool to determine if a solar PV may cause voltage problems on the customer side, or if a voltage problem on the customer side was caused by PV. The proposed analytical tool utilizes voltage measurement capabilities of smart meters, estimated PV output, and many additional available data to analyze voltage fluctuation problems on high PV penetrated feeders. A prototype demonstration system was developed. The two key objectives of the demonstration system development are (1) to verify the ability to capture and use smart meter voltage data effectively and (2) to demonstrate the value of the analytical model results. The proposed tool can be used by Power Quality Engineers to understand existing problems and by Distribution Engineers to effectively identify problematic solar PV and take proactive mitigation actions.