Modern distribution network architectures have
greatly changed due to the increasing proliferation of the network
with power converters of renewable distributed generators
(RDGs) and switching electronic loads. While these RDGs may
offer benefits to the distribution network operator (DNO) in
terms of network loss reduction, the quantification of such
benefits are usually investigated on the basis that harmonics
from the power converters are negligible. In this work, the
electrical power losses in a network with significant penetration
of photovoltaics (PVs) is assessed. The harmonics from the power
conditioners of the PVs and network background distortions have
been taken into account in the analysis. Technical insights from
study of practical distribution networks are presented.