A Reduced Switch Count Seven-Level Boost ANPC Based Grid Following Inverter Topology With Photovoltaic Integration

A boost active-neutral-point-clamped (BANPC) multilevel inverter based on a switched-capacitor network generally shows a bargain between the number of switches and its voltage rating. Moreover, control complexities are increased with the increase in switch count. In this paper, a new single-phase seven-level boosted ANPC (7L-BANPC) topology using 8(eight) switches, one floating capacitor, and one dc source is presented. The proposed inverter is capable of producing 1.5 times voltage boosting and needs a lower switch voltage rating. The efficiency of the proposed inverter is increased significantly due to lower rating switching devices and a reduced number of total conducting switches. The unipolar level-shifted sine pulse width modulation is considered for controlling the proposed inverter. A three-phase single-stage grid-connected SPV system with the proposed 7L-BANPC inverter is implemented. For the proposed system, theoretical analysis and design calculations are illustrated. The steady-state and dynamic performances of the proposed inverter as well as the grid-connected SPV system under different load power factors, modulation indices, and environmental conditions are simulated using the MATLAB/Simulink software and tested using OPAL-RT real-time emulator. A comparison with existing topologies clearly shows the benefits of the proposed inverter.