Research at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has shown that while the application of smart inverters can be beneficial for accommodating increased levels of PV penetration, the practice is not without its risks. Incorrect settings could produce sizeable negative impacts on voltage levels, variability, and regulating equipment operations.

This project, through laboratory testing and computer simulation, yields further understanding of the implications of smart inverter deployment, particularly in the distribution system. This includes an investigation of the current maturity of smart inverters (through laboratory testing with Utah State University); the potential for hosting capacity improvement across a planning area; and guidance on inverter settings for different levels of PV penetration, load, and solar resource availability.