Impact Assessment of increasing solar PV penetration into the Indian electricity distribution grid

As a part of its efforts to decarbonize the power sector, India has an ambitious plan for achieving 175GW of installed capacity from renewable energy sources, comprising 100GW of solar including 40GW of rooftop solar PV. In order to ensure safe and secure operation of the distribution network, it is necessary to critically assess the likely impact of solar rooftop penetration whose output is variable in nature. The nature and complexity of technical and operational issues would vary depending upon the relative magnitude, local utilization & grid characteristics. Upfront analysis of these issues is important for optimal planning and development of the solar rooftop systems as well as from policy and regulatory point of view. There is a general dearth of technical studies in this regard in most of the utilities in the country. TERI aims to carry out detailed case studies in distribution utilities in India under this project. The findings of the study are expected to be useful to other utilities as well insofar as these illustrate the potential issues that need to be looked into and how these may be addressed.