Comparison and evaluation of different three-level inverter topologies for PV systems

Author

Schoner, Christian ; Derix, David ; Hensel, Andreas

Author_Institution

Inst. for Solar Energy Syst., FRAUNHOFER ISE, Freiburg, Germany

fYear

2014

fDate

26-28 Aug. 2014

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

10

Abstract

In this work different three-level topologies suitable for PV systems are analyzed. First the basic operation principles of the Neutral Point Clamped (NPC), Active Neutral Point Clamped (ANPC) and Mixed Voltage Neutral Point Clamped (MNPC) topologies are explained and the used PWM strategies are presented. All three topologies are realized in hardware on a modular test setup, so that it is possible to operate them under the same conditions. Efficiency measurements under different conditions (switching frequency f_PWM = {16; 48; 90} kHz, output power, silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors, driving circuits) are shown. Exceptional efficiencies of η_16kHz = 99.1 % and η_90kHz = 98.6 % are obtained.

Keywords

PWM invertors; driver circuits; elemental semiconductors; photovoltaic power systems; ANPC; MNPC; NPC; PV systems; PWM strategies; active neutral point clamped topology; driving circuits; mixed voltage neutral point clamped topology; modular test setup; neutral point clamped topology; output power; photovoltaic systems; silicon carbide semiconductors; switching frequency; three-level inverter topologies; Inverters; Power measurement; Pulse width modulation; Semiconductor device measurement; Switches; Topology; Transistors; Efficiency; Multilevel converters; Photovoltaic; Renewable energy systems; Silicon Carbide (SiC);

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Power Electronics and Applications (EPE'14-ECCE Europe), 2014 16th European Conference on

Conference_Location

Lappeenranta

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/EPE.2014.6910810

Filename

6910810