Solar photovoltaic power conversion using modular multilevel converter

This paper makes an attempt to develop grid connected solar photovoltaic array power conversion using modular multilevel converter. The proposed system makes use of single stage power conversion with maximum power point tracking and modular multilevel converter (MMC) as interfacing unit into the grid. Here perturb & observe method of maximum power point algorithm is used to regulate the DC link voltage of the MMC and to synchronize the grid utility voltage with the current for attaining near unity power factor operation under varying environmental conditions. The simulation results presented in this paper verifies the operation of proposed MMC topology such that the AC output is free from the higher order harmonics and grid voltage and current are in phase. The simulation studies are carried out under power system computer aided design PSCAD/EMTDC 4.2 environment.