Self-balanced Quadruple-Boost Nine-Level Switched-Capacitor Inverter for Solar PV System

The article introduces a novel self-balanced quadruple-boost nine-level switched-capacitor inverter designed for solar PV systems. This inverter topology employs a single DC source, three capacitors, one diode, and 14 switches to achieve a nine-level output voltage with a fourfold voltage gain. The proposed inverter features a reduced active device count and simplified control logic, requiring only nine control signals. One of the key advantages is the inherent capacitor voltage balancing without the need for additional sensors or control algorithms. The inverter's performance is validated through experimental results, demonstrating its superior efficiency and capability to operate under various load conditions. Additionally, the article proposes a new modulation strategy, the nth Lower Harmonic Mitigation based-Nearest Level Control (n LHM-NLC), which combines the advantages of nearest level control and selective harmonic mitigation to reduce lower-order harmonics effectively. The proposed topology is compared with recent nine-level inverters, showcasing its advantages in terms of reduced component count, lower total standing voltage, and cost factor. The article concludes by highlighting the potential of the proposed inverter for solar PV integration and future enhancements to the modulation strategy.