A novel seventeen level switched capacitor multilevel inverter topology with octuple voltage gain

Abstract This paper presents a novel seventeen level switched capacitor multilevel inverter (SCMLI) topology that achieves an eightfold voltage gain using a single DC source, eliminating the need for transformers or auxiliary boost converters. The design employs an optimized switched capacitor network with 13 switches, 2 diode, and 3 capacitors to generate 17 distinct output voltage levels, significantly reducing component count compared to conventional multilevel inverters. The topology ensures inherent capacitor voltage self-balancing through its control scheme, negating additional balancing circuits. Simulation results validate the topology’s performance, amplifying a 100 V input to a ± 800 V output with a voltage total harmonic distortion (THD) of 7.94%, a current THD of 0.82%, and an efficiency of 98%. Furthermore, a thermal analysis is conducted in PLECS software to calculate the losses across the components and consecutively the efficiency of the proposed circuit. A comprehensive comparative analysis demonstrates the proposed inverter’s superiority in terms of reduced switch count, lower total standing voltage (46V dc ), and cost efficiency, making it highly suitable for renewable energy applications such as photovoltaic systems. The design’s compact structure and high voltage gain position it as an effective solution for efficient power conversion in high-voltage applications. Finally, the simulation results are verified by using the experimental prototype to validate the performance of the improved circuit under different loading conditions.