A three-phase multilevel inverter topology for use in various applications is proposed. The present topology introduces a combination of a cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter with a cascaded three-phase voltage source inverter (three-phase triple voltage source inverter (TVSI)). This combination will increase the number of voltage levels generated when using fewer components compared with the conventional multilevel inverter topologies for the same voltage levels generated. The other advantage gained from the proposed configuration is the assurance of a continuous power supply to the grid in case of failure in one part of the proposed configuration. In addition, the voltage stresses on switches are reduced by half compared if each part in the proposed topology is working independently. The comparison of the proposed topology with some conventional multilevel inverter topologies is presented. The proposed topology is built in the SIMULINK environment and is simulated under various loads in addition to being connected to the grid. Phase-shifted pulse width modulation technique is used to generate the required switching pulses to drive the switches of the proposed topology. The inverter is experimentally implemented in the lab, and the switching pulses are generated with the help of MicroLabBox produced by dSPACE (digital signal processing and control engineering) company. The simulation and experimental results and their comparisons are presented to verify the proposed topology’s effectiveness and reliability.

Cascaded multilevel inverter topologies have received a great deal of attention for grid-connected PV systems. In this paper, three-cascaded multilevel inverter configurations are proposed for grid-connected PV applications. These are the three-phase cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter topology, three-phase cascaded voltage-source inverter topology using inductors, and three-phase cascaded voltage-source inverter topology using coupled transformers. Distributed maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of PV modules using perturbation and observation algorithm is used for all presented topologies. In all presented configurations, each PV module is connected to one DC-DC isolated Ćuk converter for best MPPT achievement. Simulation is achieved by using the SIMULINK environment. The simulation results show that the three proposed topologies function well in improving the grid’s power quality. The grid currents are kept in phase with the grid voltage to ensure unity power factor, and the THD of the grid currents are within the acceptable range. The proposed topologies are experimentally implemented in the lab, and the switching pulses are generated with the help of the MicroLabBox data acquisition system. Comparing the three topologies according to the number of switches, voltage, and current stresses on switches and THD of the generated voltages and grid currents and according to the efficiency has been achieved in this paper, both experimentally and by simulation. The simulation and experimental results and comparisons are presented to verify the proposed topologies’ effectiveness and reliability.

Grid connected PV systems are the most popular solar electric system on the market today. The most important device in the grid-connected PV system is the inverter. This paper presents a survey on the grid connected PV inverters and the system topologies used for grid connected PV system. The review describes different two level inverter topologies as well as multilevel inverter topologies. Cascaded multilevel inverter topologies take the most attention in this paper. Cascaded multilevel inverter generates the voltage based on series connection of switches to achieve high quality for the output voltage and current. The merits and demerits of each topology are briefly explained in this review paper as well as these topologies are compared to each other and showing their advantages over the other.

This paper proposes a topology using isolated, cascaded multilevel voltage source converters (VSCs) and employing two-winding magnetic elements for high-power applications. The proposed topology synthesizes 6 two-level, three-phase VSCs, so the power capability of the presented converter is six times the capability of each VSC module. The characteristics of the proposed topology are demonstrated through analyzing its current relationships, voltage relationships and power capability in detail. The power rating is equally shared among the VSC modules without the need for a sharing algorithm; thus, the converter operates as a single three-phase VSC. The comparative analysis with classical neutral-point clamped, flying capacitor and cascaded H-bridge exhibits the superior features of fewer insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), capacitor requirement and fewer diodes. To validate the theoretical performance of the proposed converter, it is simulated in a MATLAB/Simulink environment and the results are experimentally demonstrated using a laboratory prototype.

Cascaded multilevel inverter (MLI) topologies have received an attractive solution for grid connected PV system. In this paper, two-cascaded MLI topologies are presented for grid connected PV system. These are seven level cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter and three phase cascaded voltage source multilevel inverter. In both presented MLI configurations, each PV module is connected to one DC-DC isolated Ćuk converter to achieve best MPPT as well as used for galvanic isolation in order to improve system efficiency. The DC-DC isolated Ćuk converters are cascaded to amplify the DC voltage in order to be used for medium and high voltage systems. On the other hand, the operation of H-bridge switches is that the two upper switches are operating at line frequency while the two lower switches are operating at switching frequency in order to reduce the switching losses. Simulation results show that both system are well functioning in improving the grid power quality. The three phase grid currents in both systems are at unity power factor and THD of the grid currents are within the acceptable range. Finally, both configurations are compared to each other. The comparison results show that both of them has advantages and disadvantages of the other.