Assessment of Photovoltaic Hosting Capacity in Distribution Systems Considering Battery Energy Storage Systems and Voltage Regulators

Abstract Photovoltaic (PV) hosting capacity is defined as the maximum amount of PV generation that a distribution network can accommodate without violating operational constraints. With the increasing penetration of distributed PV systems, assessing their impacts on distribution networks has become essential to ensure safe and reliable operation. This paper evaluates the effects of high PV penetration on overvoltage and overcurrent conditions in distribution feeders, aiming to determine the maximum-allowable PV penetration levels under scenarios with and without the integration of a battery energy storage system (BESS). PV penetration levels, defined as the ratio between the annual energy generated by PV systems and the feeder’s annual energy consumption, range from 0% (no photovoltaic generation) to 100%. Detailed simulations are conducted on feeders with distinct configurations, including scenarios with and without voltage regulators. The results indicate that feeders without voltage regulators can accommodate up to 100% PV penetration when BESS is deployed, while the hosting capacity is reduced to 80% in the absence of energy storage. In contrast, feeders equipped with voltage regulators exhibit lower hosting capacity limits, supporting up to 80% PV penetration with BESS and only 20% without BESS. The analysis further reveals that overcurrent is not a critical limiting factor in the evaluated scenarios, whereas overvoltage remains the primary constraint. These findings highlight the significant role of BESS in enhancing PV hosting capacity and provide practical insights for distribution system operators in planning and operating networks with high levels of PV integration.