Electricity is a basic need for daily life and a key driver of economic growth. Coal-fired electricity generation still forms the major share of power production worldwide. In India, it contributes about 78% of the total electricity generation. However, coal reserves are rapidly depleting, prompting countries to adopt Distributed Generation (DG) using renewable energy sources. This study focuses on the installation of PV systems in view of abundant solar resources. Appropriate siting and sizing of DGs can provide significant benefits to distribution systems, while inappropriate allocation may lead to negative effects such as voltage issues and increased losses. Therefore, optimal sitting and sizing of DGs is crucial. This paper presents results of installing PV systems in a 400 V distribution network and an 11-kV feeder in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. The economic impact of the system with PVs is also analyzed in terms of Internal Rate of Return (IRR). © 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.