Leakage Current Mitigation in On-Grid Photovoltaic Systems Using a Flexible Multi-Level Inverter Topology

Leakage current is an issue that often causes problems in transformerless grid-connected PV inverters, such as electromagnetic interference, which is conducted or radiated and derates the quality of power injected into the grid. It can also lead to electrical safety problems, impair the performance...

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Main Authors: Caíque C. A. de Carvalho, Paulo R. D. R. da Silva, José M. Araújo, José A. Pomilio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Associação Brasileira de Eletrônica de Potência 2025-03-01
Series:Eletrônica de Potência
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Online Access:https://journal.sobraep.org.br/index.php/rep/article/view/1015
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author Caíque C. A. de Carvalho
Paulo R. D. R. da Silva
José M. Araújo
José A. Pomilio
author_facet Caíque C. A. de Carvalho
Paulo R. D. R. da Silva
José M. Araújo
José A. Pomilio
author_sort Caíque C. A. de Carvalho
collection DOAJ
description Leakage current is an issue that often causes problems in transformerless grid-connected PV inverters, such as electromagnetic interference, which is conducted or radiated and derates the quality of power injected into the grid. It can also lead to electrical safety problems, impair the performance of other equipment nearby, and thus make the generation system unavailable. Therefore, mitigation procedures for the leakage current in transformerless grid-connected PV inverters are essential to ensure system efficiency and safety. In this sense, a new single-phase grid-connected transformerless inverter topology was proposed using modulation switching techniques to keep the leakage current at acceptable standard levels. With the proposed topology, by monitoring the leakage current rms value, the inverter can be driven in a three- or five-level pattern for the main switches, thereby keeping the leakage current at a satisfactory level. The topology was implemented in a versatile hardware-in-loop Typhoon-HIL to emulate a digital twin of the complete system, with the control loops and switching generation embedded in a family Texas Instruments F28335 DSP. The results obtained for total harmonic distortion and energy conversion efficiency were then compared with other consolidated topologies, and the leakage current was proved to be effectively modified when the inverter is switched in three- or five-level modes.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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spelling doaj-art-e0e94238ccf840348ac49f024ef82bfd2025-08-20T02:56:39ZengAssociação Brasileira de Eletrônica de PotênciaEletrônica de Potência1414-88621984-557X2025-03-013010.18618/REP.e202527Leakage Current Mitigation in On-Grid Photovoltaic Systems Using a Flexible Multi-Level Inverter TopologyCaíque C. A. de Carvalho0https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1865-9350Paulo R. D. R. da Silva1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4585-9807José M. Araújo2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4170-7067José A. Pomilio3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5457-4438Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)Instituto Federal da Bahia Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Leakage current is an issue that often causes problems in transformerless grid-connected PV inverters, such as electromagnetic interference, which is conducted or radiated and derates the quality of power injected into the grid. It can also lead to electrical safety problems, impair the performance of other equipment nearby, and thus make the generation system unavailable. Therefore, mitigation procedures for the leakage current in transformerless grid-connected PV inverters are essential to ensure system efficiency and safety. In this sense, a new single-phase grid-connected transformerless inverter topology was proposed using modulation switching techniques to keep the leakage current at acceptable standard levels. With the proposed topology, by monitoring the leakage current rms value, the inverter can be driven in a three- or five-level pattern for the main switches, thereby keeping the leakage current at a satisfactory level. The topology was implemented in a versatile hardware-in-loop Typhoon-HIL to emulate a digital twin of the complete system, with the control loops and switching generation embedded in a family Texas Instruments F28335 DSP. The results obtained for total harmonic distortion and energy conversion efficiency were then compared with other consolidated topologies, and the leakage current was proved to be effectively modified when the inverter is switched in three- or five-level modes. https://journal.sobraep.org.br/index.php/rep/article/view/1015Leakage currentCommon mode voltageMulti-level PWMPhotovoltaic inverters
spellingShingle Caíque C. A. de Carvalho
Paulo R. D. R. da Silva
José M. Araújo
José A. Pomilio
Leakage Current Mitigation in On-Grid Photovoltaic Systems Using a Flexible Multi-Level Inverter Topology
Eletrônica de Potência
Leakage current
Common mode voltage
Multi-level PWM
Photovoltaic inverters
title Leakage Current Mitigation in On-Grid Photovoltaic Systems Using a Flexible Multi-Level Inverter Topology
title_full Leakage Current Mitigation in On-Grid Photovoltaic Systems Using a Flexible Multi-Level Inverter Topology
title_fullStr Leakage Current Mitigation in On-Grid Photovoltaic Systems Using a Flexible Multi-Level Inverter Topology
title_full_unstemmed Leakage Current Mitigation in On-Grid Photovoltaic Systems Using a Flexible Multi-Level Inverter Topology
title_short Leakage Current Mitigation in On-Grid Photovoltaic Systems Using a Flexible Multi-Level Inverter Topology
title_sort leakage current mitigation in on grid photovoltaic systems using a flexible multi level inverter topology
topic Leakage current
Common mode voltage
Multi-level PWM
Photovoltaic inverters
url https://journal.sobraep.org.br/index.php/rep/article/view/1015
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