Simplified Single-phase PV Generator Model for Distribution Feeders With High Penetration of Power Electronics-based Systems

Power systems simulations become more relevant to analyze the feeder behavior due to the increasing integration of inverter-based resources (IBR), like solar photovoltaic (PV). However, simulations based on dynamic and switching-level PV generator (DSLPVG) models are complicated to implement, due to the multi-variable dependence, and they are time-consuming. Thus, this paper introduces a simple single-phase grid-connected PV generator model. This simplified PV generator (SPVG) model is only dependent of the PV generator active output power, power factor, and the voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC). It is developed in Simulink/MATLAB with a single-phase feeder. Simulations are conducted to verify the proposed model by comparing SPVG with DSLPVG models in terms of feeder behavior, accuracy and time elapsed during simulations. The implementation of the SPVG model is easier than the DSLPVG, the feeder behavior is similar, and the simulations are almost 120 times faster. With the SPVG model, fast simulations with many PV generators may be done, like power system protection studies, while maintaining good accuracy. Furthermore, the model can be easily extended to other simulation software packages.