Integration of Multilevel Inverter with Photovoltaic Systems to Enhance Grid Performance: A State-of-Art Review

Multi-Level Inverters (MLI) have their applications in high-power medium-voltage control systems, which is mainly due to their numerous advantages viz., improved power quality, lesser dv/dt stress on the switches, lesser switching losses, reduced total harmonic distortion, reduced electromagnetic interference, better efficiency, smaller common-mode voltage, etc. A state-of-art review on the integration of multilevel inverters with photovoltaic systems to enhance the grid performance is presented in this paper. A deliberation on various topologies is presented here. The desired DC output voltage is obtained from the converter, which is then fed to MLI to convert into AC power with better quality and reduced harmonics. It is then fed to the AC utility grid. Depending upon the AC output voltage levels, MLIs have various switching devices. The application of MLIs to distribution generators and Photovoltaic systems (PV) is on the rise due to numerous advantages. Maximum power from the PV arrays is drawn using Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT). The generated AC power from the PV system is fed to the local isolated load or can be fed to the grid. A complete model of PV systems is also presented.