Caribbean island states target ambitious RE goals of e.g. 50% by 2030, yet current RE shares remain low with diesel as the main generation source. This "Solar Photovoltaic Integration Study" utilizes a multi-phase approach—combining PyPSA dispatch analysis with ETAP/PowerFactory electrical modelling—to assess the impacts of increasing PV integration across seven Caribbean utilities.

Key findings reveal that system-level limits are reached much earlier than feeder-level hosting capacity. The Minimum Stable Load (MSL) of synchronous generators (often fixed at 50-70% in contracts) and take-or-pay PPA agreements act as primary bottlenecks, creating little room for further PV expansion. Additionally, uncoordinated planning and independent feasibility studies can lead to significant overcapacity.

To guide successful RE integration, the study recommends a roadmap for unlocking flexibility: revisiting maintenance contracts to reduce the MSL, adding storage incrementally to provide reserves, and ultimately deploying grid-forming capabilities and install further technologies such as synchronous condensers to support grid stability with high RE shares.