A Five-Level Inverter with Multiple DC Sources for Grid-Connected Systems

In this paper, a single phase five-level inverter configuration is proposed using two independent DC sources at the converter’s input side. The proposed inverter can provide real power to the grid with a reduced number of switches, which results in recused switching loss and simplifies the switching control technique. The proposed inverter is helpful where multiple dc-link voltages are available. The operation principle of the designed five-level inverter, design guidelines and modulation strategies are elaborated in detail. In the end, simulation waveforms and experimental results illustrate the desired performance and viability of the given multi-level inverter.