An H5 Transformerless Inverter for Grid Connected PV Systems with Improved Utilization Factor and a Simple Maximum Power Point Algorithm

• Main Authors: Hani Albalawi, Sherif Ahmed Zaid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-10-01
• Series: Energies
• Subjects: PV panel; H5 inverter; boost converter; MPPT; utility grid; utilization factor
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/11/2912

Due to their small size, minimum cost, and great efficiency, photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected transformerless inverters have been developed and become famous around the world in distributed PV generators systems. One of the most efficient topologies of the transformerless inverter family is H5 topology. This inverter extracts a discontinuous current from the PV panel, which conflicts with the operation at maximum power point tracking (MPPT) conditions while the utilization factor of the PV degrades. This paper proposes improved H5 topology featuring a boost converter inserted in the middle between the PV panels and the H5 inverter. The design of the boost converter is planned to operate at continuous conduction mode to guarantee MPPT conditions of the PV. A new and simple off line MPPT algorithm is introduced and performance factors like efficiency and utilization factors of the proposed and convention H5 topology are compared. The simulation results indicate that the proposed system provides a preferable utilization factor and a simpler MPPT algorithm.