Symmetrical Three-Phase 7-Level E-Type Inverter for PV Applications

Abstract

A newly conceived symmetrical three-phase E- Type (3 $\Phi$7L E-Type) Inverter is proposed and analyzed in this paper. Converter topology is based on the single leg T- Type Inverter. The proposed topology shows seven voltage levels at the output providing better performance in terms of current and voltage stress of the power semiconductors and efficiency. The theoretical investigation has been carried out with reference to photovoltaic (PV) applications. A suitable thermal model of the power semiconductors has been developed in Plexim/PLECS environment. Simulation results of the 3 $\Phi$7L E-Type Inverter are performed in Matlab/Simulink environment. Furthermore, the prototype of the proposed converter has been carefully tested in order to validate the theoretical analysis.