Renewable Energy 49 (2013) 39e43

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Renewable Energy
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/renene

Photovoltaic-grid connection in the UAE: Technical perspective

Ammar M. Al-Sabounchi*, Esmaeel Al-Hammadi, Saeed Yalyali, Hamda A. Al-Thani
National Energy and Water Research Center, Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

a r t i c l e i n f o

a b s t r a c t

Article history:
Available online 10 February 2012

Connection of utility-interactive PV generators at the distribution level, namely PV distributed generation

(PVDG), could bring many benets to the distribution network. However, deployment of PVDG systems,
in any country, requires actual data on the performance of these systems under actual weather conditions. Additionally, it needs compliance with the electrical structure and regulations of the power
distribution network in that country. Hence, applying PVDG technology in the UAE brings forth many
considerations and this work aims at tackling potential technical ones. Among these is the role of daily
load curve and PV production curve in determining feasible locations and capacities of PVDG systems.
The analyses are based on existing case study feeders at the 11 kV level of Abu Dhabi distribution
network. Accordingly, the work results in suitable recommendations on feasible locations of PVDG
systems. Also it denes rational objectives and constraints for optimal sizing and location of such
systems.
The other consideration tackled in this work is the performance of PVDG systems in actual UAE
weather conditions. Actual data from two pilot PVDG systems installed in Abu Dhabi are collected and
analyzed. The production of PV array, consistency of voltage and frequency and the conversion efciency
of PV modules and inverters along with the impact of ambient temperature are considered. In the same
connection, the inuence of accumulated dust deposition on the production of PV array in UAE is also
taken over in this work.
2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords:
Utility-interactive PV System
Distributed generation
Distribution feeder
Dust deposition

1. Introduction
Knowing that the daily average solar insolation in the UAE is
topped to around 6 kWh/m2 makes the sense for the country to go
for solar energy systems over other renewables. Regarding solar
energy systems, interfacing of photovoltaic (PV) systems with the
utility grid at the distribution level, so called PV distribution
generation (PVDG), has been drawing considerable attention in the
UAE. As in other distribution generation (DG) systems, the PVDG
can bring many benets to the network. These may include
reduction of line losses, improvement of voltage prole, postponing
network upgrade, improvement of system reliability, and reduction
of global warming concerns [1].
However, connection of PVDG systems (and any other DG) may
bring some concerns to power distribution companies. One of the
main concerns is that the PVDG systems deviate from the traditional concept of hierarchical power ow from the substation to
consumers. This may result in power ow in the upstream direction
that may disturb the automatic voltage regulators [2]. As for power

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: ammar.munir@adwea.ae (A.M. Al-Sabounchi).
0960-1481/$ e see front matter 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.renene.2012.01.070

quality concern, the PVDG system shall inject reliable electricity of

voltage and frequency within the acceptable limits [3].
This work aims at brieng potential outcomes of research
activities conducted, by the National Energy and Water Research
Center (NEWRC), to investigate the performance of PVDG systems
in the UAE. It is worth mentioning that the UAE power grid is
mainly supplied by thermal/gas power plants generating three
phase electricity at 50 Hz frequency. The generated electricity is
connected to the transmission lines at 132 kV, 220 kV and 400 kV
voltage levels via step up transformers. The transmission lines, in
turn, provide the distribution network at 33 kV and 11 kV voltage
levels via step down transformers. At this stage, the electricity is
distributed through 11 kV underground and overhead feeders
supplying three phase 11/0.4 kV distribution transformers.
Based on above, the conguration of distribution feeders along
with the trends of load and solar irradiance curves are investigated fundamentally in this work. The performance of PVDG
systems under actual UAE weather conditions is also tackled. Two
pilot systems, implemented by NEWRC in Abu Dhabi at the 0.4 kV
level, are monitored and evaluated for this purpose. The outcomes
of these systems are believed valuable in generating solid
recommendations for feasible installation of PVDG systems in
the UAE.

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A.M. Al-Sabounchi et al. / Renewable Energy 49 (2013) 39e43

Fig. 1. Per-unit daily summer load curves.

Fig. 3. Per-unit daily spring & fall load curves.

2.2. Load demand

2. Methodology
Six 11 kV distribution feeders supplying residential, industrial
and commercial load demands in Abu Dhabi are taken as case
studies. Those consist of ve underground (UG) and one overhead
(OH) feeders, inside the city and at suburbs, representing the
prevalent types of 11 kV feeders in Abu Dhabi. The data of feeder are
collected and analyzed in terms of physical structure and load
demand. Additionally, the daily average rates of solar irradiance in
Abu Dhabi are provided. On performance evaluation aspect, the
two pilot PVDG systems mentioned above are installed in Abu
Dhabi at ground and rooftop levels.

2.1. Physical structure

The 11 kV feeders and laterals branching from them in Abu
Dhabi are extended in three phases. They are considered in
balanced mode operation by the distribution company. Consequently, the feeders are usually extended in three wires (Y or D)
with no return bath for the neutral. Based on the six case studies,
the capacity of the 11/0.4 kV distribution transformers along 11 kV
feeders is in the range of 0.2e1.5 MVA. At the same time the
installed capacity of the feeders is in the range of 10e20 MVA. The
11 kV feeders are usually extended in XLPE underground cables of
wire sizes in the range of 185e300 mm2. The available overhead
feeders are usually found in the suburbs with wire size around
95 mm2 carried on crossarm poles.

Fig. 2. Per-unit daily winter load curves.

The daily demand proles at the input of the feeders were

collected from the power distribution company for four seasonal
days reecting the power consumption trends of the four seasons.
For each feeder the active power demand (MW) at each time
interval is represented in per unit of feeder installed capacity
(MVA). The process is repeated for the four seasonal days with the
results are depicted in Figs. 1e3.
The load curves of Fig. 1 shows that the highest load demand in
Abu Dhabi is in summer, which is very normal due to the high
cooling load. At the same time, the difference between summer and
winter demands is considerably high. This is due to the absence of
cooling load in winter, also the moderate ambient temperature in
winter drops the need for real heating load.
As for peak load demand (PLD) and peak load time (PLT), Fig. 4
summarizes the results of the feeders over usual summer day.
According to the gure the average of the highest PLD -in summeris around 25% of feeder installed capacity. This could be an indicator
for distribution load relief in Abu Dhabi and consequently long time
before network upgrade is needed.
Additionally, Fig. 4 shows that PLT most likely occur at late
daylight hours in Abu Dhabi, or even after nightfall like in feeders
4-UG & 5-UG. Not to mention that the average PLT of the six feeders
is found to be at 5:30pm.
2.3. Solar irradiance
The daily solar irradiance curves, in per unit of 1000 W/m2, are
illustrated in Fig. 5 over four usual seasonal days. The gure is
plotted based on actual measurements collected from the two pilot
PVDG systems. Since the PV power production is directly

Fig. 4. PLD and PLT of feeders in summer day.

A.M. Al-Sabounchi et al. / Renewable Energy 49 (2013) 39e43

41

Fig. 5. Per-unit daily trends of solar irradiance/PV production in Abu Dhabi.

proportional to solar irradiance, the same curves are considered to

represent PV production in per-unit of standard production at
irradiance 1000 W/m2.
3. Results
The integration and analyzes of the aforementioned information
can result in potential technical perspectives on feasible installation
of PVDG systems in the UAE.
3.1. Optimal sizing and location
3.1.1. Objective
The optimal capacity and location of distribution generation
(DG) systems e including PVDG e is determined by solving certain
objective function for maximum benets subject to certain
constraints. Generally, the objective function is to maximize the
peak power and/or energy loss savings in the feeders due to
connection of DG systems [1,4e8]. However, solving for maximum
line peak power loss saving (DPPL) could not make sense for PVDG
systems in Abu Dhabi; and Figs. 4 and 5 can tell the reason. They
show clear mismatching in peak hours of the daily load and PV
production curves (unless certain technique shifting the peak PV
production is applied). As a matter of facts, the PLT in some feeders
even occur after nightfall resulting in zero DPPL. Consequently, it is
recommended solving the optimization problem considering line
power loss saving over the day, namely line energy loss saving
(DEL) [9]. Mind that DEL is directly proportional to the modern
benet of CO2 emission reduction. At the same time the DPPL is still
considered as sub-benet, provided that the time of PLT occurs
during daytime hours.

it will pass unpreferably through the substation transformer to the

higher voltage level of the grid [10].
In order to set suitable constraints avoiding the surplus power,
the PVDG system size should be at least not exceeding the PLD. In
this course, the per-unit PLDs of Figs. 1e3 are changed into the
actual amounts of Table 1. The table can approximate maximum
limits for PVDG system capacity at the 11 kV level.
Considering the load curve proles over seasons, Figs. 1 and 2
show considerable drop in winter load curve comparing to
summer load curve. This is due to the absence of the high A/C load
demand in winter. However, Fig. 5 manifests small change in solar
irradiance peaks over the year. Actually the change is mainly in
daytime durations but not peaks. Hence, for hot summer regions
like in Abu Dhabi it is recommended to consider winter load
demand in the sizing procedure. Otherwise, considerable amounts

Fig. 6. PV production & efciency with irradiance.

3.1.2. Sizing and space constraints

The PVDG system is a time variant power source driven by solar
irradiance and other weather conditions. Thus, it is a nondispatchable generator that usually injects as much as power it
can generate into the feeder. However, if the PVDG power exceeds
feeder demand then it will result in surplus power ow in the
upstream direction. To this end, if the surplus power is high enough

Table 1
Recommended maximum capacity of PVDG system at the 11 kV level in Abu Dhabi.

Capacity (MVA)

1-UG
19.5

Summer
Spring & Fall
Winter

1.53
0.79
0.45

2-UG
14.5
PLDs of
4.22
2.88
1.63

Case study 11 kV feeders

3-UG
4-UG
5-UG
6-OH
13.5
18.5
17
11.2
the 11 kV case study feeders (MVA)
4.33
4.41
5.06
2.21
3.17
2.74
4.14
0.54
2.51
1.44
3.79
0.48

Average
15.7
3.63
2.38
1.72

Fig. 7. PV efciency with ambient temperature.

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A.M. Al-Sabounchi et al. / Renewable Energy 49 (2013) 39e43

coupling (PCC) resulting in improvement of voltage prole. This

benet is secured as long as the PVDG system capacity is sized in
compliance with the sizing constraint avoiding any surplus PVDG
power generation. Otherwise, the surplus power in the upstream
direction could be high enough that raises the voltage at some
downstream nodes to unacceptable values. This may affect the
performance of automatic voltage regulators that rely on the trend
of decreasing voltage prole along the feeder [2].

3.2. Performance evaluation

Fig. 8. Conversion efciency of inverter.

of PV surplus power will be produced in winter resulting in

unpreferably power ow in the upstream direction. In this course,
Table 1 yields that the average PLD of feeders in winter is around
47% of that in summer.
To have an idea about the space area corresponding to PVDG
system sizing, the multi-crystalline silicon PV modules are taken as
example. According to datasheets, the approximate area required to
produce 1 kWp at standard conditions is around 7.5e8.0 m2. As this
area is not small, it is deemed rational that prospective PVDG
systems in Abu Dhabi are most likely t at no higher than the 11 kV
level.
3.1.3. Voltage constraint/benet
Connection of PVDG system on distribution feeder reduces the
current ow from the substation up to the point of common

Fig. 9. Operating ac voltage & frequency of inverter.

For credible performance evaluation of PVDG systems in the

UAE, two pilot systems rated at 36 kW and 9 kW were installed in
Abu Dhabi at the 0.4 kV level. Many parameters are being evaluated
through these systems including production of power, consistency
of voltage & frequency, efciency of system components, reduction
of CO2 emission, impact of dust deposition, and others. This section
represents selective synthesized data, taken from the 36 kW
system, on some potential performance parameters. Out of the 13
multiple inverters of the system, inverter 9 and the PV strings
supplying it are taken as example.
Fig. 6 depicts the dc power production and efciency of the PV
strings at different irradiances. Also Fig. 7 shows the impact of
ambient temperature on PV modules efciency. Mind that the
measurements were taken in June 6th, 2009 to show the worst
possible status in summer. The gure manifests the inverse relation
between ambient temperature and efciency that raises the
maximum efciency to around 13% at 7am. Based on the
same gure, the daily average efciency during daytime hours is
around 11%.
Similar evaluation is conducted to inverter 9 at the same day,
with the results shown in Fig. 8. The gure shows that the daily
average operation efciency of the inverter is topped to 93%. Also it
manifests a sort of consistent efciency, even with the variations of
dc input power.
As for power quality items, Fig. 9 shows high consistency in
voltage and frequency of the ac power delivered by inverter 9.
According to the gure, the average operating voltage and
frequency are 237.19 V and 49.97 Hz. This means only 1.17% and
0.04%, respectively, below standard nominal values.
Respecting daily operating time of the inverters, Fig. 10 indicates
the daily monthly average hours of inverter 9 measured over the
year of 2009. It shows relatively long operating time extend to 13 h
daily in June but drop to around 8.5 h in December; means 10.75 h
daily annual average of around.
Coming to the inuence of accumulated dust deposition on the
performance PV modules, Fig. 11 shows serious inuence on the
production of the PV system. The gure shows the drop in power
production of PV modules after they had been left without cleaning

Fig. 10. Daily monthly average of inverters operating hours.

A.M. Al-Sabounchi et al. / Renewable Energy 49 (2013) 39e43

Fig. 11. Impact of six months dust deposition.

Fig. 12. Monthly power prole with dust deposition.

for six consecutive months. To be more specic, the power

production of inverter 9 was measured on daily basis at irradiance
800 W/m2 with the PV modules been cleaned once at the beginning
of the month. The procedure was repeated for three months with
the results illustrated in Fig. 12. According to the gure, the average
monthly drop in PV power production, due to accumulated dust
deposition, is around 27%. This can provide suitable guidance
compromising between imposed cleaning frequency, on one side,
and the extra PV modules to compensate the impact of dust
deposition, on the other side.
4. Conclusions
The PV utility-interactive, especially PVDG systems, is promising
and highly recommended technology in UAE. In this course, it is
recommended that prospective PVDG systems are installed at no
higher than the 11 kV level. This is according to the sizing and
spacing constraints of PV arrays along with the load demand trends
of six case study feeders representing the most likely 11 kV feeders
in Abu Dhabi.
In the same connection, if the size of the PVDG system is less
than the PLD delivered by the 11/0.4 kV transformer at the PCC,
then it is recommended to connect it at the low tension side of
0.4 kV. Additional loss saving will be gained this way across the
windings of the transformer. The PVDG system could be even
connected after the circuit breakers of the low tension side if its size

43

is within the ampacity of those breakers. On the contrary, if the

capacity is higher than the average maximum limit recommended
in Table 1, then it is suitable to distribute it in separate PVDG
systems at different 11 kV feeders. Alternatively, it is recommended
to be installed on next higher voltage level of the grid, considering
availability of space area.
In the same connection, it seems rational to rate the size of
PVDG systems based on winter load demand. This practice is
deemed suitable for hot summer regions like in UAE and the GCC
countries. As a matter of fact it may avoid, to great extent, the
possibility of surplus PV power production and consequent reverse
power ow during the whole year. To this end, it is recommended
to rate the PVDG system capacity based on the average maximum
limit of winter in Table 1.
As for space area, it seems suitable interfacing the PVDG systems
with feeders at the suburbs where the space concern is less than
inside the city. Also suburb feeders are usually extended over
longer distances facing more voltage drop problems. Connection of
DG systems, including PVDG, at feasible sizing and location is ideal
solution for improving the voltage prole of such feeders.
On different note, the accumulated dust deposition seems to be
serious concern affecting the production of PVDG systems. The
impact of dust deposition on the power production of PV modules
was illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. This may provide suitable guidance for PV designers in dealing with the matter. This may impose
suitable cleaning frequency of PV modules and adding extra
modules to compensate the reduction in PV production between
cleaning times.
Last but not least, the PVDG systems are expected to show good
performance in terms of operating voltage and frequency along
with conversion efciency of inverters. Additionally, the high
ambient temperature in Abu Dhabi seems to be of moderate effect
on the efciency of PV modules.

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