A single phase transformerless switched capacitor

based multilevel inverter topology for pv grid

connected system
Priyankan Goswami, Soham Mandal, Dipmallya Sen, Jagabar Sathik Mohd.Ali
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur Campus,
Kancheepuram 603203, India

The grid connected inverters are huge interfaces between the PV

Abstract: Single phase voltage source transformerless panels and utility grid which are divided as galvanic isolation
inverters have been produced for a long time and have been system or non isolation system. Galvanic isolation is mainly done
effective plug applications in the PV system. Besides, many using bulky transformer in the system. Transformers provide the
advanced topologies and late developments have been best isolation that is to prevent the backflow of current from the
published over the recent couple of years. grid. These systems have limitations as they are bulky, require
The main objective is to design a transformer-less topology maintenance and are not cost effective. They are used for high
with reduced leakage by following the German code VDE power systems. To rectify the above issues of transformer
0126-1-1. The existing transformer based topologies have systems, transformerless systems have been proposed [7]-[8].
limitations in terms of weight, sizes, high maintenance, On the other hand transformerless systems are the non isolation
temperature issues and cost effectiveness. The new systems. They have an improved efficiency. Moreover the power
transformerless topology is less bulky, has less maintenance, density is improved and the cost is decreased by removing the
ideal for rooftop PV systems. For preventing the leakage transformers and isolation sensors. The only limitation of the
current, we propose a new multilevel inverter based topology system is the isolation of the leakage current. In order to prevent
according to the German code VDE 0126-1-1. The leakage the above problem a modified transformerless multilevel inverter
current reduction is divided into symmetrical and topology has been proposed [9]-[10]. The proposed system
asymmetrical inductor based groups in which the topology consists of a 9- level multilevel inverter, PR controller connected
uses an AC decoupling for the isolation of the grid from the to the system. The system finds application in roof top PV system.
PV system. Further, to perform the complete analysis of the
inverter, the mathematical modeling is done. Using the
equations, the performance of the inverter for various
changing parameters of Kp, inductance, capacitance, is
observed and the leakage current is calculated.
The software analysis of the proposed topology is to be done
using MATLAB Simulink which is accurate and to verify the
simulation results with the analyzed values. Also, the
hardware prototype of the proposed circuit is to be developed
and its output is compared with the simulation results
obtained.
Fig. 1 Single Phase Transformerless configuration.
Keywords: Photovoltaic (PV) System, multi-level inverter,
topology derivation, transformerless system.
Grid connected PV roof top systems are generally privately
I. INTRODUCTION owned single phase systems with a power range reaching 10KW
[11]. Moreover the grid PV inverters should satisfy the grid
standards and codes which deal with the network connection
A grid connected PV system is an electricity generation solar Pv
criteria, construction of the power generation system\ network and
power system that is connected to the utility grid. PV source is
system protection and operation of the system. The topology is
taken as a stand out amongst the most promising sustainable
based on the German code VDE-0126-1-1(issued time February
energy sources since it is reliable and emission free [1]-[5]. From
2006) and VDE-AR-N4105(issued time- August 2011) as
the Global Annually PV market scenario according to the Solar
summarized in the Table 1. Considering the electrical connections
Power Europe, the total solar power capacity in 2017 was
between the PV panels and the utility grid in the transformerless
400GW. According to this the Year 2017 was a historic year for
system, the leakage current flow by the PV parasitic capacitor
the solar power sector as more solar PV capacitors were installed
needs to be taken care of. A leakage current over 800mA must
globally than any other power generation technologies. A total of
trigger a break within 0.3s in VDE-0126-1-1. Independent of the
99.1GW of Grid connected solar power system was installed in
power conversion level, any sudden leakage current should trigger
2017. It is likely under optimal conditions the Worlds Solar
a break within the time listed in the Table 1 [12].
generation plant capacity could reach up to 1270.5GW, by the end
A changed 9 level inverter topology is proposed with reduced
of 2022 according to the Global Market Outlook for Solar Power\
number of switches, self balancing and boosting techniques.
2018-2022 [6].
Certain advantages associated with the PV connected multilevel
inverter (9-levels) are [1]:
 i. Input Current: Multi-level inverter can draw input
current with low distortion. II.OPERATION OF PROPOSED MULTILEVEL INVERTER
ii. Switching Frequency: The MLI can operate at both TOPOLOGY
fundamental switching frequencies that are higher
switching frequency and lower switching frequency. It
should be noted that the lower switching frequency
means lower switching loss and higher efficiency
achieved.
iii. Reduced Harmonic Distortion: Selective harmonic
elimination technique along with the multi-level
topology results the THD to be low in the output
waveform without any filter circuits.
iv. Efficiency: High conversion efficiency is the most
notable indicator to access the PV system performance.

Table 1
GERMAN CODE VDE COMPARISON
Fig 2. Proposed Capacitor based Grid connected 9-level Inverter Module
Issue VDE 0126-1-1 VDE-AR-N 4105
Break The use of the leakage
RMS value
time current protection
The circuit diagram of the proposed topology is shown in Fig. 2.
i >300mA 0.3s devices is inevitable.
The standard IEC The system is a self-voltage balancing boosting circuit. The
Leakage current ∆i > 30mA 0.3s
∆i > 60mA 0.15s 60755 defines the inverter focuses on reducing the leakage current and thereby
detail requirements for maximizing the conversion efficiency by using 11 IGBT diodes, 2
∆i > 150mA 0.04s the leakage current Capacitors, 1 Inductor and 1 Bypass Switch.
protection devices.
Adjustable generation As we are using a transformer-less system, the main problem is to
systems shall reduce create the isolation. The non-isolated circuits can make isolation
(for f increase) or by 2 methods: AC Decoupling and DC Decoupling. AC
50.2 increase (for f
<f<
Disconnected from
decrease) the active
Decoupling is preferable to our topology and hence we are using
Grid the grid within 0.2s it.
51.5 power PM generated
frequency instantaneously with a
monitor gradient of 40% of PM In Zero state, we’ve to turn on either all the switches present at
per Hertz. the top or all the switches those are present at the bottom, which
f>51.5 results in connection of the photovoltaic panel to the grid and thus
or Disconnected from the grid within 0.2s. leakage current will flow in the panel. To prevent that, we are
f<47.5 using AC Decoupling by putting a Bypass Switch. This Bypass
The generation systems switch will allow the leakage current to flowing within the right
(>100 kW) could
reduce their active
most part of the circuit and hence preventing the connection of the
Active Power None power to a set point grid with the photovoltaic panel, which thereby prevents the
provided by the leakage current to flow to the panel. Thus, we are able to create
network operator. the isolation.
The generation systems
should output required Table 2
reactive power in SWITCHING SEQUENCE OF 9-LEVEL INVERTER
Reactive Power None accordance with the STATE ON-STATE SWITCHES OUTPUT VOLTAGE
characteristics curve
provided by the
network operator. 0 B2, Bypass Switch 0

P1,S2,S3,B1B2 +Vm/2
1
S1,P2,P3,B1,B2 -Vm/2
The ultra-high photon overall efficiency for the P1,S2,S3,S4 +Vm
distributed PV system is 97.7% created by Steca’s Steca 2
grid 3600. S1,P2,P3,P4 -Vm
v. Reliability: An ideal reliability quality structure for PV P1,S2,Sx,P3,B1,B2 +3Vm/2
inverters cannot just build the consumer loyalty and 3
S1,P2,Sx,S3,B1,B2 -3Vm/2
brand value but also reduce the maintenance cost.
P1,S2,Sx,P3,S4 +2Vm
In this paper, the generation mechanism a suppression principle 4
S1,P2,Sx,S3,P4 -2Vm
for the leakage current in the single phase switch capacitor
transformerless PV inverter with grid connection is briefly
analyzed.
 S1 S2 S3 S4
S1 S2 S3 S4

P C1 +
-
B2
P C1 +
Sx
P4
+ B1 -
N C2 - B2
Lg
Sx
P4
P1 P2 P3 + B1
Bypass Grid
Switch N C2 -

Lg

P1 P2 P3
S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4

Bypass Grid
P C1 + P C1 +
Switch
- -
B2 B2

Sx Sx
P4 P4
+ B1 + B1
N C2 - N C2 -

Lg
Lg

P1 P2 P3 P1 P2 P3

Bypass Grid Bypass Grid

Switch Switch

S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4
Fig 5. State One Operation for Negative Half Cycle
P C1 + P C1 +
- -
B2 B2
Sx Sx
P4 P4
+ B1 + B1
N C2 - N C2 -

Lg Lg

P1 P2 P3 P1 P2 P3

Bypass Grid Bypass Grid

The PV panel which has been set has a capacity of 100V. In this
Switch Switch

S2
S1 S2 S3 S4
state, switches S1,P2,P3,B1,B2 are operating and the output voltage
P C1 +
-
B2
P C1 +
-
B2
level is –Vm/2. The voltage is supplied from the panel to the grid
through the capacitor, C2, thus, it gets charged by 50V resulting in
Sx Sx
P4 P4
+ B1 + B1
N C2 - C2
N -

the net output voltage to be -50V.

Lg Lg

P1 P2 P3 P1 P2 P3

Bypass Grid Bypass Grid

Switch Switch

S1 S2 S3 S4 S1 S2 S3 S4
B. State Two Operation:
P C1 + P C1 +
- -
B2 B2

Sx Sx
P4 P4
+ B1 + B1
N C2 - N C2 -

Lg Lg

O P1
P1 P2 P3 P2 P3

Bypass Grid Bypass Grid S1 S2 S3 S4

Switch Switch

P C1 +
-
B2
Fig 3. Switching Operation of the 9-Level Inverter Sx
P4
+ B1
N C2 -

Lg

P1 P2 P3

Bypass Grid
Switch

In this state, switch B2 and Bypass Switch are operating. The

voltage is not supplied from the panel to the grid through the
capacitors, thus C1 and C2 remains inactive i.e. neither charged Fig 6. State Two Operation for Positive Half Cycle
nor discharged condition. The Bypass switch acts only during this
state to provide the isolation by the method of AC Decoupling. The PV panel which has been set has a capacity of 100V. In this
state, switches P1,S2,Sx.S3,S4 are operating and the output voltage
level is Vm. The voltage isn’t supplied from the panel to the grid
A. State One Operation: through the capacitors, thus C1 and C2 remains inactive i.e. neither
S1 S2 S3 S4
charged nor discharged condition. The net output voltage to be
P C1 +
100V.
-
B2

Sx
P4
+ B1
S1 S2 S3 S4
N C2 -

Lg P C1 +

P1 P2 P3
-
B2
Bypass Grid Sx
Switch P4
+ B1
N C2 -

Lg

P1 P2 P3

Bypass Grid
Fig 4. State One Operation for Positive Half Cycle Switch

The PV panel which has been set has a capacity of 100V. In this
state, switches P1,S2,S3,B1,B2 are operating and the output voltage
level is Vm/2. The voltage is supplied from the panel to the grid Fig 7. State Two Operation for Negative Half Cycle
through the capacitor, C1, and it gets discharged by 50V resulting
in the net output voltage to be 50V.
The PV panel which has been set has a capacity of 100V. In this
state, switches S1,P2,P3,P4 are operating and the output voltage
level is -Vm.. The voltage isn’t supplied from the panel to the grid
through the capacitors, thus C1 and C2 remains inactive i.e. neither
S1 S2 S3 S4

charged nor discharged condition. The net output voltage to be P C1 +

-

-100V.
B2

Sx
P4
+ B1
N C2 -

Lg

P1 P2 P3

Bypass Grid
Switch

Fig 9. State Four Operation for Positive Half Cycle

The PV panel which has been set has a capacity of 100V. In this
C. State Three Operation state, switches P1,S2,Sx,P3,S4 are operating and the output voltage
level is 2Vm. The voltage is supplied from the panel to the grid
S1 S2 S3 S4

through both the capacitors, C 1 and C2, and it gets charged by

P C1 +
-
B2
100V resulting in the net output voltage to be 200V.
Sx
P4
+ B1 S1 S2 S3 S4
N C2 -

Lg P C1 +
-
P1 P2 P3 B2

Bypass Grid Sx
P4
Switch + B1
N C2 -

Lg

O
P1 P2 P3

Bypass Grid
Switch

Fig 8. State Three Operation for Positive Half Cycle

The PV panel which has been set has a capacity of 100V. In this
state, switches P1,S2,Sx,P3,B1,B2 are operating and the output
voltage level is 3Vm/2. The voltage is supplied from the panel to
the grid through the capacitor C2, and it gets charged by 50V
resulting in the net output voltage to be 150V.
S2
Fig 11. State Four Operation for Negative Half Cycle
The PV panel which has been set has a capacity of 100V. In this
state, switches S1,P2,Sx,S3,P4 are operating and the output voltage
level is – 2Vm. The voltage is supplied from the panel to the grid
through both the capacitors, C1 and C2, and it gets discharged by
-100V resulting in the net output voltage to be -200V.

P C1 +
-
B2

Sx
P4
+ B1
N C2 -

Lg

P1 P2 P3

Bypass Grid
Switch

Fig 9. State Three Operation for Negative Half Cycle

The PV panel which has been set has a capacity of 100V. In this
state, switches S1,P2,Sx,S3,B1,B2 are operating and the output
voltage level is -3Vm/2. The voltage is supplied from the panel to
the grid through the capacitor C1, and it gets discharged by 50V
resulting in the net output voltage to be -150V.

D. State Four Operation: