Investigation on Hybrid Power Converters for Cascading Solar PV Systems

A structure of multilevel Hybrid High Power Converter (HHPC) is proposed for cascading symmetrical Photo Voltaic (PV) panels. Inverter voltage stress, Power Spectral Density (PSD), voltage and current harmonics are reduced in the proposed configuration. Evaluated with predictable Cascaded Multilevel Inverter (CMLI) configuration, the proposed system configuration is structured with reduced number of series connected power switches and its gate drive circuits. An existing (Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation) SVPWM switching approach is reformed and implemented to the DC link switches of the proposed converter for cascading PV panels. None of the passive components are utilized in the proposed inverter configuration, which highlights the advantages of the proposed system. The performance parameters are investigated through Phase Opposition Disposition Pulse Width Modulation (POD-PWM) switching scheme and its results are validated with computer simulation and prototype hardware models.