Impact of PV Penetration on Grid Transition in Sarawak's Remote Villages

In recent years, rural electrification in Malaysia, particularly in Sarawak, has experienced significant transformation. Off-grid solar solutions are implemented to extend electricity access to rural communities in the remotest areas. Concurrently, grid expansion has expedited widespread electrification into the interior of Sarawak. As the grid continues to expand, it will eventually reach areas currently served by offgrid solar systems. These off-grid systems may impact the network voltage depending on the feeder and loading conditions. This research study provides a comprehensive analysis of the technical impacts when integrating PV systems into 33kV and 11kV distribution networks. The analysis evaluates two real networks in the Sarawak region and reveals that the voltage rise event when transitioning off-grid solar systems to 33kV on-grid systems is significant as compared with an 11kV distribution network. Besides, the study highlights the need for careful planning for the 11kV distribution network during off-grid solar to on-grid transition to avoid exceeding the ±5% voltage limit as stipulated in the Sarawak Grid Code.