Household-scale solar systems typically generate electricity during the day, while most customers consume power in the morning and evening. The mismatch between production and consumption peaks can create significant strain on power networks, especially in areas farther from high-voltage lines and substations. As solar adoption grows, these voltage issues are expected to become more frequent.
E.ON’s solution, implemented for the first time in Hungary between Letenye and Nagykanizsa, involves the installation of a series voltage regulator (IVR) on the medium-voltage network in the rural area of Rigyác. The HUF 320 million investment aims to improve supply reliability while offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional grid expansion.
Thanks to its mobility, the IVR can be deployed quickly and relocated to other medium-voltage networks as needed, making it particularly suitable for areas where grid modernization is difficult or time-consuming.
The device boosts network capacity without requiring the construction of new power lines, eliminating the need for several kilometers of infrastructure to stabilize the grid or connect new solar plants. E.ON plans to acquire additional IVRs and redeploy them to other locations once voltage levels in their current sites have been balanced through network upgrades.
The new technology ensures more stable electricity supply for households in the Letenye–Nagykanizsa region and allows for the connection of more solar systems to the grid. E.ON says it intends to expand the use of this flexible solution to better meet both consumer and producer needs.
The project also aligns with the company’s sustainability strategy by enabling greater use of green energy and reducing the ecological footprint of major infrastructure projects, offering a more economical alternative to large-scale network expansion.
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