A Dual Buck Three-Level PV Grid-Connected Inverter

Abstract

The use of a PV grid-connected inverter with non-isolated topology and without a transformer is good for improving conversion efficiency; however, this inverter has become increasingly complicated for eliminating leakage current. To simplify the complicated architecture of traditional three-level dual buck inverters, a new dual Buck three-level PV grid-connected inverter topology is proposed. In the proposed topology, the voltage on the grounding stray capacitor is clamped by large input capacitors and is equal to half of the bus voltage; thus, leakage current can be eliminated. Unlike in the traditional topology, the current in the proposed topology passes through few elements and does not flow through the body diodes of MOSFET switches, resulting in increased efficiency. Additionally, a multi-loop control method that includes voltage-balancing control is proposed and analyzed. Both simulation and experimental results are demonstrated to verify the proposed structure and control method.