Optimal PV Farm Size and Location Determination in Kudus Distribution System Using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)

Along with the rising demand for electrical energy, and also considering government policies to increase renewable energy mix in the primary energy sources, a new renewable energy generating unit is needed. PV farm integration as distributed generation (DG) can be used as the solution to both problems. PV installations are considered a suitable solution since it used renewable energy. However, misplacement or unsuitable capacity of PV installations in the distribution systems can possibly worsen the system quality, thus optimization is needed to ensure that the goal is achieved by also improve the system quality. This paper presents the optimization of the location and sizing of PV farm using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) in order to reduce losses and voltage drop as well as increasing the overall system reliability. The results indicate that the PV installations with the optimized locations and sizes can reduce the losses and voltage drop and increase the system reliability.