Optimized harmonic PWM implementation in a reduced switch count MLI with quadruple boosting using PSO for solar PV applications

Abstract The reduced switch multilevel inverters are used in many applications specially in renewable energy system. They have a smaller number of semiconductor devices, complexity and thus lower cost and power losses. A reduced-switch multilevel inverters (MLIs) with quadruple boosting capability have been investigated in this study by implementing an optimized harmonic pulse width modulation (OPWM) technique. As an example, a nine-level quadruple boosting inverter, operating at fundamental frequency, is analysed to reduce the dominant lower order harmonics such as third, fifth, and seventh-order harmonics in the output voltage along with control on fundamental component. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is employed to obtain the optimize the switching angles using a constrained nonlinear objective function. The computational results have been used to simulate the nine-level quadruple boost inverter and results shows a significant reduction in lower order harmonics. The simulation results have been verified on a prototype of nine-level quadruple boost inverter.