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The world is witnessing a transition from its present centralized generation paradigm to a future with increased share of distributed generation (DG). Integration of renewable energy sources (RES) based distributed generators is seen as a solution to decrease reliance on depleting fossil fuel reserves, increase energy security and provide an environment friendly solution to growing power demand. The planning of power system incorporating DGs has to take into account various factors such as nature of DG technology, impact of DG on operating characteristics of power system and economic considerations. This paper put forwards a comprehensive review on planning of grid integrated distributed generators. An overview of different DG technologies has been presented. Different issues associated with DG integration have been discussed. The planning objectives of DG integration have been surveyed in detail and have been critically reviewed with respect to conventional and RES based DG technologies. Different techniques used for optimal placement of DGs have also been investigated and compared. The extensive literature survey revealed that researchers have mostly focussed on DG integration planning using conventional DGs. RES based DGs have not been given due consideration. While integrating RES, their stochastic behaviour has not been appropriately accounted. Finally, visualizing the wide scope of research in the planning of grid integrated DGs; an attempt has been made to identify future research avenues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]