Keynote Lecture (KL-REN-5), International Conference on New Energy and Environmental Engineering (ICNEEE), Future University, Cairo, Egypt, 11-14 April, 2016 1 Abstract—The objective of this paper is to provide basic information on the technical design specifications, criteria, technical terms and equipment parameters required to connect PV systems to the distribution networks in Egypt. Successful connection of a PV system should satisfy requirements of both the ssPV Code and Electricity Distribution Code. The ssPV Code specifies the special requirements for the connection of small- scale PV systems to the Low Voltage (LV) distribution network. The Electricity Distribution Code (EDC) sets out the rules and procedures to regulate technical and legal relationship between distribution utilities and users of the distribution networks. The aim is to maintain optimal operation, safety and reliability of the power system. The technical specifications including permitted voltage and frequency variations in addition to power quality measures such as limits of harmonic distortion, phase unbalance, and flickers. Small-scale PV system operational limits, capability requirements, power factor, safety, protection, synchronization, etc. will be explained and discussed. In addition, the roles stipulated in the EDC for connecting distributed generating units to the distribution networks are briefly presented. Index Terms—Distribution networks, Photovoltaic systems, PV integration, Distribution code, PV connection code I. INTRODUCTION HERE has been a continuous increase in the share of the renewable resources in generating the required electricity to cope with increasing demand. Future electricity generation plans countries around the world expect more contribution of renewable energies in the electricity generation mix. Some utilities set a target of 20% renewable energy of total required energy by 2020. Others expect 50% by 2050. Among various renewable energies, wind and solar are the most promising resources and proved to be efficient in real applications at decreasing competitive kWh costs. The increasing ratio of renewable energy sources to be connected to electric power systems has resulted in technical issues related to power quality, capacity, safety, protection, synchronization, etc. Electricity utilities and regulators have issued regulation roles for connecting renewable energy sources to power grids at distribution level and transmission level. Manuscript submitted March 15, 2016. Prof. O. H. Abdalla is with the Department of Electrical Power and Machines Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, 1 Sherief Street, P.O. Technology, P.C. 11792, Helwan, Cairo, Egypt. (e-mail: ohabdalla@ieee.org). An overview of recent grid codes for PV power integration is presented in [1]. It provides a survey of grid codes, regulations and requirements for connecting PV systems to LV and MV networks, including power quality concerns and anti-islanding issues. A guide to PV interconnection issues [2] has been developed by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, North Carolina Solar Center, USA. Interconnection issues cover all steps for connecting a small scale renewable energy system to the utility network, including technical, contractual, and rates and metering issues. German codes for connecting PV systems to medium voltage power grid are described in [3]. A comparison of Germany’s and California’s interconnection processes for PV systems is discussed in [4]. The IET has developed the Standards: “Code of Practice for Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems [5]. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has approved the “Grid Connection Code for Renewable Power Plants Connected to the Electricity Transmission System or the Distribution System” [6]. This paper concerns with technical design specifications and criteria, technical terms and equipment parameters required to connect small-scale PV systems to the distribution networks in Egypt. Successful connection of a PV system should satisfy requirements of both the ssPV Code [7] and the Electricity Distribution Code [8]. The ssPV Code specifies the special requirements for the connection of small-scale PV systems to the Low Voltage (LV) distribution network. Although the ssPV code is all complementary documents that entail obligatory provisions for customers seeking ssPV installations [7], the customer should also satisfy the requirements of the Distribution Code. Technical terms of these codes should be clearly understandable by all parties to correctly implement the rules and procedures described in the codes. The Electricity Distribution Code is a document that contains a set of rules and procedures to regulate technical and legal relationship between a Distribution System Operator (DSO) and users of the distribution network. The objective is to establish the obligations and responsibilities of each party; i.e. the DSO and all network users; namely, subscribers, distributed electricity production units, etc. This will lead to maintain optimal operation, safety and reliability of the power system. The technical specifications of integrating small-scale PV systems to the distribution networks include permitted voltage and frequency variations in addition to power quality Technical Design Specifications and Criteria for Integrating PV Systems into Distribution Networks in Egypt Omar H. Abdalla, Fellow Egyptian Society of Engineers, Life Senior Member IEEE T