A Transformer-Less Buck-Boost Grid-Tied Inverter with Low Leakage-Current and High Voltage-Gain

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) grid-tied systems and simplify the circuit structure, many pseudo DC-link inverters have been proposed by combining a sinusoidal pulse-width modulation (SPWM) controlled buck-boost converter and a low-frequency polarity unfolder. However, due to the non-ideal characteristics of power diodes, the voltage-gain of a buck-boost converter is limited. To meet the needs of grid-connected systems with low input voltage and 220 Vrms utility, this paper uses two two-switch buck-boost converters with coupled inductors to develop a transformer-less buck-boost grid-tied inverter with low leakage-current and high voltage-gain. The proposed inverter is charging on the primary side of the coupled inductor and discharging in series on the primary side and the secondary side so that the voltage-gain can be greatly increased. Furthermore, the utility line can be connected to the negative end of the PV array to suppress leakage current, and the unfolding circuit can be simplified to reduce the conduction losses. High-frequency switching is only performed in one metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) in each mode, which can effectively improve conversion efficiency. A prototype was implemented to obtain experimental results and to prove the validity of the proposed circuit structure.