A New Single-Phase Switched Capacitor Based Five-Level Inverter with 200% DC Utilization

Abstract

—This paper introduces a new single-phase switched capacitor-based five-level inverter tailored for renewable energy applications, offering 200% DC utilization. The topology utilizes switched capacitors (SCs) alongside a simple T-type converter and a half-bridge circuit, eliminating the need for additional sensors to balance capacitors due to its self-balancing capability. Furthermore, a mid-point clamping neutral is incorporated to reduce leakage current and common-mode voltage, particularly beneficial for photovoltaic applications. A straightforward level shifted pulse width modulation (LS-PWM) technique enables the realization of the five-level output voltage waveform. To validate the proposed topology’s effectiveness, MATLAB/Simulink-based results are presented for both steady-state and dynamic condi tions. Additionally, a comprehensive comparison is conducted to highlight the advantages of the proposed topology over recent alternatives documented in the literature.