Boost Integrated Three-Phase Solar Inverter using Current Unfolding and Active Damping Methods

Abstract

This paper proposes a three-phase grid connected solar inverter with integrated boost function. The circuit operating principle is based on current unfolding and injection method, which is similar to that of a SWISS rectifier. This approach requires only two high frequency switches operating at only half voltage stress, thus leading to a significant reduction in switching losses. Other switches only operate at line frequency, and therefore can be optimized to reduce conduction losses. The proposed inverter therefore can deliver high efficiency. This paper discusses the basic operating principle as well as control method for the inverter. It is revealed that the output currents of the proposed inverter contains intrinsic oscillation due to current unfolding operation. In order to solve this problem, an active damping method is proposed to stabilize the operation. As a result, stable operation of the proposed method is confirmed by simulation. The feasibility of the proposed inverter is also confirmed using a mini laboratory prototype.