Performance analysis of grid connected PV array with H-bridge inverter controlled by angular modulation scheme

Abstract

This paper presents a modular cascaded H-bridge multilevel photovoltaic (PV) inverter for three-phase grid-connected solar cell. An angular controlled modulation scheme has been proposed for Modular Multilevel Converter in this application. To maximize the solar energy extraction in various irradiance, Incremental Conductance algorithm for maximum power point tracking is used, which allows independent control of each solar cell voltage. The performance of the system has also been analyzed at variable irradiance on the each cell. A simulation model of three-phase seventeen-level cascaded H-bridge inverter has been built by using twenty four number of H-bridge modules (eight modules per phase). Each H-bridge module is connected to a 270-W solar panel. Simulation results are presented to verify the feasibility of the proposed approach where on an average 1.5% THD is achieved in load phase voltage.