Single-Source MPPT-Controlled 5-Level Inverter for Photovoltaic Applications

Abstract

This study proposes a five-level multilevel inverter (MLI) topology for photovoltaic (PV) applications, employing a single DC source and fed through a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)-controlled boost front-end stage. The proposed topology achieves a two-fold voltage gain without requiring an additional DC source, offering a favorable performance-to-cost trade-off with low hardware complexity. The performance of the topology was evaluated in the MATLAB/Simulink environment under Nearest Level Control (NLC) and Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) methods; switching and conduction losses were calculated using thermal models in PLECS software. Under a 100 Ω + 50 mH load condition, the total harmonic distortion (THD) of 8.20% obtained with the NLC method was reduced to 6.11%, 3.79%, and 3.42%, respectively, with the SPWM method as the carrier frequency was increased from 1.25 kHz to 5 kHz. The topology exhibited stable and fast dynamic response over output frequency ranges of 25-200 Hz and modulation index ranges of 0.3-1.0, achieving a peak efficiency of 97.35% across the output power range of 0–1000 W. A quantitative comparison with similar five- and seven-level topologies in the literature demonstrates that the proposed structure stands out with a lower cost function value and reduced hardware complexity. The obtained results show that the proposed single-source, MPPT-controlled topology strikes a practical balance between low switching loss and low harmonic distortion, constituting a highly efficient and scalable solution for PV systems.

Keywords

• Multilevel inverter
• MPPT
• NLC
• SPWM
• THD
• Photovoltaic systems

Fotovoltaik Uygulamalar İçin Tek Kaynak MPPT Kontrollü 5 Seviyeli Evirici

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, fotovoltaik (PV) uygulamalar için tek bir DC kaynağı kullanan, Maksimum Güç Noktası Takibi (MPPT) kontrollü bir boost ön kademesiyle beslenen beş seviyeli birçok seviyeli evirici (ÇSE) topolojisi önerilmektedir. Önerilen topoloji, ek bir DC kaynağa gerek duymadan iki kat gerilim kazancı sağlamakta ve düşük donanım karmaşıklığıyla yüksek bir performans-maliyet dengesi sunmaktadır. Topolojinin performansı, Nearest Level Control (NLC) ve Sinüzoidal Darbe Genişlik Modülasyonu (SPWM) yöntemleri altında MATLAB/Simulink ortamında değerlendirilmiş; anahtarlama ve iletim kayıpları PLECS yazılımı ile termal modeller kullanılarak hesaplanmıştır. 100 Ω + 50 mH yük koşulunda NLC yöntemiyle %8,20 olan toplam harmonik bozulma (THD), SPWM yönteminde taşıyıcı frekansının 1,25 kHz'den 5 kHz'e yükseltilmesiyle sırasıyla %6,11, %3,79 ve %3,42 değerlerine düşürülmüştür. Topoloji, 25-200 Hz çıkış frekansı ve 0,3-1,0 modülasyon indeksi aralıklarında kararlı ve hızlı bir dinamik yanıt sergilemiş, 0-1000 W çıkış güç aralığında %97,35 ile en yüksek verime ulaşmıştır. Literatürdeki benzer beş ve yedi seviyeli topolojilerle yapılan nicel karşılaştırma, önerilen yapının daha düşük maliyet fonksiyonu değeri ve daha az donanım karmaşıklığıyla öne çıktığını ortaya koymaktadır. Elde edilen sonuçlar, önerilen tek kaynaklı ve MPPT kontrollü topolojinin, düşük anahtarlama kaybı ile düşük harmonik bozulma arasında pratik bir denge sağlayarak yüksek verimli ve PV sistemler için ölçeklenebilir bir çözüm oluşturduğunu göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Çok seviyeli evirici
• MPPT
• NLC
• SPWM
• THD
• Fotovoltaik sistemler

Ethical Statement

Bu araştırmada hayvanlar ve insanlar üzerinde herhangi bir çalışma yapılmadığı için etik kurul onayı alınmamıştır.

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