Modeling and Performance Assessment of a Grid Connected Large Scale Photovoltaic Plant: A Case Study of Yemen

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems characterized by their widespread availability, cost effectiveness, and environmental sustainability have emerged as a promising renewable energy technology to address these challenges. In Yemen, cumulative off grid residential PV capacity increased from virtually zero in 2000 to its highest recorded level by the end of 2023, reflecting an average annual growth rate of approximately 5% since 2017. However, utility scale, grid connected PV plants are essential to further reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate associated environmental impacts. The integration of PV generation into centralized power networks and decentralized mini grids offers both substitutive and complementary benefits. This study evaluates the technical impact of integrating a 120 MW grid connected PV plant into the Aden regional electrical grid in Yemen, which operates at voltage levels of 132 kV, 33 kV, and 11 kV. A detailed network model was developed using Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP) software, and load flow analysis was performed using the Newton–Raphson iterative method. The findings demonstrate that high PV penetration reduces the active power demand from central generation sources and improves voltage stability, particularly at weaker nodes, up to a penetration level of approximately 80 MW. The results confirm that the Aden grid can accommodate high PV penetration with tangible operational benefits, whereas also highlighting the requirement for advanced grid control measures—such as smart inverters and dynamic voltage regulation devices—to ensure reliability in future expansions, including the planned scale up to 640 MW.