Photovoltaic Inverter Structures 13

2.2.3 HERIC Inverter (Sunways)

In 2006, Sunways patented a new topology also derived from the classical H-bridge called
HERIC (highly efficient and reliable inverter concept) by adding a bypass leg in the AC side
using two back-to-back IGBTs (insulated gate bipolar transistors), as shown in Figure 2.7 [6].
The AC bypass provides the same two vital functions as the fifth switch in case of the H5
topology:

r Prevents the reactive power exchange between L 1(2) and CPV during the zero voltage state,
thus increasing efficiency.
r Isolates the PV module from the grid during the zero voltage state, thus eliminating the
high-frequency content of VPE .

The switching states for positive and negative generated AC currents are depicted in
Figure 2.8.
The main features of this converter are:

r S1–S4 and S2–S3 are switched at high frequency and S+ (S−) at grid frequency.
r Two zero output voltage states are possible: S+ = on and S− = on (providing the bridge is
switched off).

Advantages:

r Voltage across the filter is unipolar (0 → +VPV → 0 → −VPV → 0), yielding lower core
losses.
r Higher efficiency of up to 97 % is due to no reactive power exchange between L 1(2) and CPV
during zero voltage and to lower frequency switching in one leg.
r VPE has only a grid frequency component and no switching frequency components, yielding
very low leakage current and EMI.

PV Array Filter HERIC FB inverter Filter Grid

D1 D3
S1 S3
VPV L1

S+ D− L
Vg
CPV
D+ S− L2 N

D2 D4
S2 S4

VPE

Figure 2.7 HERIC topology (Sunways)

14 Grid Converters for Photovoltaic and Wind Power Systems

PV Array Filter HERIC FB inverter Filter Grid PV Array Filter HERIC FB inverter Filter Grid

D1 D3 VAB = + VPV D1 D3 VAB = − VPV

VPV S1 S3 VPV S1 S3
L1 L1
A A
S+ D+ Vg L S+ D+ Vg L
CPV CPV
D− S− L N D− S− L N
2 B 2
B
D2 D4 D2 D4
S2 S4 S2 S4

VPE Vg > 0. S1 and S4 = ON, S+ = ON VPE V g < 0. S2 and S3 = ON. S– = ON

S1 and S4 are switched at high frequency. S+ is switched at line frequency S2 and S3 are switched at high frequency. S- is switched at line frequency

PV Array Filter HERIC FB inverter Filter Grid PV Array Filter HERIC FB inverter Filter Grid

D1 D3 VAB = 0 D1 D3 VAB = 0
VPV S1 S3 VPV S1 S3 L1
L1
A A
S+ D+ Vg L S+ D+ Vg L
CPV CPV
D− S − L2 D− S− L
N 2 N
B B
D2 D4 D2 D4
S2 S4 S2 S4

VPE Vg > 0. S1 and S4 = OFF. S + and D- = ON VPE Vg < 0. S2 and S3 = OFF. S- and D+ = ON
S5 and S4 are switched at high frequency. S+ is switched at line frequency S2 and S3 are switched at high frequency. S- is switched at line frequency

(a) (b)

Figure 2.8 The switching states of the HERIC inverter in the case of generating: (a) positive current
and (b) negative current

Drawbacks:

r Two extra switches.

Remark:

The HERIC improves the performance of FB with BP modulation by adding the

zero voltage obtained with the AC bypass, thus increasing the efficiency. This
topology is therefore very suitable for use in transformerless PV applications due
to high efficiency and low leakage current and EMI. It is currently commercialized
by Sunways in the AT series (2.7–5 kW) with reported European efficiency of 95 %
and maximum efficiency of 95.6 % (Photon International, July 2008).

The behavior of HERIC and H5 are quite similar as both realize the decoupling of the PV
generator from the grid during the zero voltage state on the AC side and DC side respectively.
They both use two switches switched at high frequency and one switched at grid frequency,
and H5 has three switches conducting at the same time, while HERIC has only two.