In this paper, a simulator for assessing the possibility of PV integration to the medium voltage distribution network is developed. The PV location and peak power are defined in advance. The simulator is based on sequential Monte Carlo simulation with various possible uncertainties such as photovoltaic production and load. In addition, the sequential simulation enables detection of period when the network constraints are violated. For this analysis, time series of essential variables such as PV system production and load are modeled. Based on the results of power flow calculation, probability distributions of the voltage at various nodes, the loads on individual lines as well as the probability of network constraints exceeding are determined. Depending on the network constraints, possibility of connecting the PV system to the network at the desired location is assessed. The power flow calculation is executed by using the OpenDSS simulator, while the input time series are prepared in Matlab. The method presented in this paper is tested on IEEE 33 distribution test network.

Bifacial photovoltaic modules have gained increasing attention in the last decade due to their potential to achieve higher annual energy yield in comparison to conventional monofacial modules. Since the higher energy production is also accompanied by higher investment costs, it is necessary to conduct a careful techno-economic analysis in order to provide the investors an answer about their accurate cost efficiency. The achievable energy output of a bifacial photovoltaic power plant is influenced by many factors such as module geometry, row spacing, orientation of the modules and ground albedo. Since the methodology for prediction of the energy yield has not yet been standardized, the main target of this paper was to create one version of a comprehensive standalone energy calculator that would serve as a useful performance assessment tool for designers and investors. The developed software tool was tested on several characteristic scenarios and the obtained results were compared with the results provided by two freely available online calculators.