Single-Phase Transformerless Inverters

Associated to PV Systems: A Comparison of

Different Topologies
Tarak Salmi#1, Mounir Bouzguenda*2 and Adel Gastli*3
#
Research Unit on Renewable Energies and Electric Vehicles, National Engineering School of Sfax,
P.O.B: W, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia,
1
tarak_sel@yahoo.fr
*
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University,
P.O. Box 33, P.C. 123, Al-Khoudh, Sultanate of Oman.
2 3
buzganda@squ.edu.om gastli@squ.edu.om

Abstract—A comparative study of the common topologies of II. PV SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

inverters is presented in this paper. In addition, most of these
topologies include a line transformer in their power stage
conversion. In case this transformer is left out, the system would
increase its efficiency and decrease its cost. However, systems
with no transformer present some issues from safety point of
view. This paper focuses on the comparison of most common
single-phase inverters and presents an overview over suitable
solutions in this case.
Index Terms—photovoltaic, single-phase inverters,
transformerless inverters, common-mode, unipolar and bipolar
switching.
I. INTRODUCTION
One of the most promising sources of renewable energy is
the direct conversion of solar energy into electricity owing to
the present state of achieved technology in manufacturing new
PV modules with better efficiency and reduced cost and the
danger of high depletion of non-renewable energy resources.
The reliability of stand alone PV systems becomes one of the
major trends in the present design of such systems. The
system configuration plays an important factor determining
the overall system reliability, efficiency, lifetime and cost.
In fact, many configurations are possible and commercially
available; we consider here the most known ones: central
inverter system configuration, string inverter system

D C-AC converter (inverter) is the most important

electronic device in a PV system; in fact it is used to
produce AC power from low DC voltage. This makes it very
configuration and module integrated system configuration [1].
Other concepts are recently introduced such as team-concept
and master-slave concept [2] in order to improve the
suitable for using AC power tools. Most inverters do their job efficiency. These concepts are outlined later.
by performing two mains functions: first they convert the A. Central inverter system configuration
incoming DC into AC and then they step up the resulting AC
to main voltage level using a transformer. The goal of the In grid connected photovoltaic applications, the central and
designer is to have the inverter that ensures these functions as string inverters are the most commonly used system
efficiently as possible while keeping in mind the interest of configurations [2, 3]. The configuration of the central inverter
reliability and cost. The inverter’s interconnection and system is shown in Fig. 1 and consists of PV modules
configuration with the rest of the components of the stand arranged in series and parallel to satisfy the desired current
alone photovoltaic systems have an important impact on the and voltage levels. This configuration requires too much DC
overall system performance. wiring which increases the cost and decreases safety.
Cost reduction and efficiency improvement were the main
goal and concerns of the designers over the last decade and
still the same right now. That is why modern inverters avoid
the use of line transformers which are expensive, big in size
therefore hard to install and systems with transformers have
lower efficiency due to power losses in the transformers.
However, avoiding transformers affects the safety of the
system due to galvanic connection between the grid and the
PV array; in this case, leakage currents between the PV array
and earth could occur and increase the electromagnetic
emissions. Depending on the weather conditions, humidity,
and dust covering the PV panel, such current can be
dangerous when a person on the ground touches the panel.
Fig. 1. Central inverter system
Many researches were and are still being conducted to avoid
or minimize this current. Besides, this design is relatively hard to realize. From the
reliability point of view, the system reliability has to be
multiplied by the reliability of each component in the system. The pressure of demand for inverters with high
This configuration presents some disadvantages such as: performance has pushed some companies to extend their
• Mismatching losses by using a Maximum Power Point product by combining the string technology with the master-
(MPP) control for a large group of PV modules [2]. slave configuration (3, 4 or more inverters connected on the
• Poor expandability and adaptability to customers’ DC side) to get what is called team configuration mentioned
requirements, due to the little or no design flexibility. in [2, 3] and shown in Fig. 4.
• Losses and risk of electrical arc in DC wiring.
B. Module integrated or AC module
In this case, the inverter is connected to its module using a
short DC cable, and then the module is connected to the AC
bus using an AC cable (see Fig. 2). Additional advantages of
this configuration are:
• Reduced cost.
• Improved reliability and safety.
• Simple design, installation and maintenance.
• Easy fault finding.

Fig.4. The team configuration [2]

At very low irradiation, the complete PV array is connected

Fig. 2. Module integrated inverter
Moreover, mismatching losses, DC wiring, and electric
shocks are minimized [1-3]. However, from the efficiency
point of view, some deficiencies still exist due to their low
power ratings.
C. String inverter system configuration
In this case, the system is divided into k parallel subsystems
[1]. It is more practical to design, and the interconnection will
take place on the AC side as shown in Fig. 3.
to one inverter only. With increasing solar radiation, the PV
array is divided into smaller string units until every string
inverter operates close to its rated power. In this
configuration, every string operates independently with its
MPP controller. At low solar radiation, the inverters are
controlled in a master slave mode. Simulation results
mentioned by [2] indicate that a higher energy output of about
4% can be expected.
To benefit from the advantages of the string inverter and
simultaneously the low cost of the central inverter, the multi
string inverter technology has been developed to combine
these advantages. The configuration, shown in Fig. 5, has
been utilized since 2002 [2].

Fig.3. String inverter system

This configuration can be seen as a compromise between

module integrated and central inverter concepts. Although this
configuration has improved the inverter efficiency up to 97%,
one could expect more increase due to the advancements in
semiconductor and filter components [2]. Fig.5. Multi string inverter [2]
 The Fraunhofer Institute has developed a new configuration
called Highly Efficient Reliable Inverter Concept (HERIC) [1,
2, 4] shown in Fig. 6. The first inverter rated 3 kW with an
efficiency of 98% was entered in 2003 [2].

Fig.8. Common-mode current in transformerless inverter [11]

Fig.6. HERIC inverter [2]
This concept is being used in transformerless single-phase
inverter bridges. The working principle of the transformerless
technology is discussed in the following section.
III. TRANSFORMERLESS TECHNOLOGY
In the grid-connected PV systems, the transformer in the
power conversion stage ensures galvanic isolation between the
grid and the PV system. This provides human protection
against electric chocks [6, 7] and avoids leakage current
between the PV and the earth [1], [7-9]. In addition, it
eliminates the continuous current that can be injected into the
grid in case the transformer is left out [1, 8, 10, 14].
As previously mentioned, a higher efficiency, a smaller size
and a lower cost for the inverter can be obtained in case the
transformer is left out [1, 4, 8, 9, 10, 14]. However, there are
some safety issues due to the solar panel parasitic capacitance
[1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 14]. This capacitance value depends on many
factors such as PV panel and frame structure, cell surface,
weather conditions, humidity and dust covering the PV panel
[6].
In modern technology, the elimination of the line
transformer is possible with no impact on the characteristics
of the system from the point of view of safety and grid
integration. The use of the full bridge with unipolar PWM is
one solution among others [11]. Unipolar switched inverters
have the advantage of higher efficiency due to their reduced
switching losses [1, 12, 13].
Fig. 7 shows the full-bridge inverter. It is as simple as it
only needs four IGBTs and has a high efficiency reaching up
to 97% [12, 13].
In this case, elimination of the common-mode current
requires a big common-mode filter. To get significant
reduction in the size of the filter, the use of inverter topologies
which avoid the common mode is necessary. The half bridge
inverter can provide such result.
However, a high input voltage is needed. Therefore, the use
of boost converter on the DC side takes place in this case.
This would increase the cost and decrease the efficiency down
to 92% [13]. That is why the half bridge is not popular [14].
The common-mode voltage can be avoided using the full
bridge with bipolar PWM [12, 14]. This inverter is being used
in some commercial transformerless inverters but it still
presents quite low efficiency compared with the expected one
(95.3%) due to the losses caused by the double switching
frequency [14].
To improve the inverter’s efficiency, a bypass branch in the
AC side using two IGBTs with freewheeling diodes was
proposed to be added [13]. This technology has increased the
efficiency up to 96.3%. This technology is used by Sunways
for commercial inverters. Fig. 9 shows the full bridge inverter
with an AC bypass while Fig. 10 shows the operating
principle of the full bridge with bipolar PWM.
Fig.9. Full bridge inverter with AC bypass [11]

Fig.7. Full-bridge inverter [11]

However with the unipolar PWM, a common-mode voltage

exists and leads to common-mode current as shown in Fig. 8.

Fig.10. Operating principle of full bridge inverter with bipolar PWM [11]
 Another topology was proposed by [11]. This topology
guarantees no common-mode voltage; therefore it encourages
its use. In this case, the use of a filter just to avoid currents
caused by switching mismatch, power supply, etc is
necessary. The operating principle of this proposed topology
is widely explained in [11]. In this case, a small room for
improvement still exists.
The full bridge with DC bypass, shown in Fig. 11, behaves
like a current inverter. Switch pairs T1-T4 and T2-T3
commutate in grid frequency. Switches T5 and T6 are
controlled with PWM and therefore operate at high frequency
[11]. It was shown that this topology leads to a reduction of
losses. From the point of view of efficiency, this topology
guarantees up to 96.3%. Furthermore, this topology reduces
the DC current injection, which is an important issue in case
of transformerless topologies and is limited by different
standards [4]. It has been validated by simulation in [11].
Without a filter, common-mode current is:
dvcm
I cm = C (1)
dt
The common-mode voltage is:
v AO + v BO
Vcm = (2)
2
It is clear that the common-mode current can be avoided if
the common-mode voltage is kept constant and this can be
achieved if the switching orders of the IGBTs are seriously
adjusted.
From Fig. 10, we can deduce that during the on time
(ton=d.T), both T1 and T4 are on. The voltage applied across
the inductor is:
vin + 0 vin
Vcm = = (3)
2 2
with vA0=vin and vB0=0
After ton, T1 and T4 are turned off and T2 and T3 are turned
on. Then, the voltage vA0falls until diode of T2 switches on. At
the same time, vBO increases until diode of T3 switches on. If
the switching processes are simultaneously performed, the
common-mode voltage is kept constant.
The operating principle during the negative grid half is the
same. Therefore, the common-mode current is kept equal to 0.
However, in real inverters, a small high frequency filter is
necessary due to the switching mismatch.
Fig.11. Full bridge inverter with DC bypass [11]
Meanwhile, many reports discussed the disadvantages of
normal or two levels inverters due to the high voltage change
rates (dv/dt). The multilevel inverter was introduced to
overcome this problem [15]. In fact, the multilevel inverter
has the ability to produce a “stepped” output waveform which
approaches the sinusoidal waveform better than the
conventional waveform produced by the full-bridge one. A
multilevel inverter then uses a series of single-phase full-
bridge (H-bridge) inverters units to convert electric power
from DC to AC. Separate DC sources are required to supply
such inverter. Unlike diode clamped or flying-capacitor
inverters, cascade multilevel needs the least number of
components to achieve the same number of level voltage and
can be used to convert a small DC voltage to a high AC
voltage [15].
IV. CONCLUSIONS
This paper focused on the most common inverters
configurations. An overview of transformerless technologies
was also presented. In addition, some problems due to the
elimination of the line transformer from the point of view of
safety, efficiency and cost were treated and the solutions from
the literature were presented. In fact, the use of the full-bridge
inverter with bipolar switching mode appears to be the best
one in case the common-mode current is kept equal to zero
and this can be achieved by avoiding the switching mismatch.
However, in real inverter, a small common-mode hight-
frequency filter is necessary to avoid currents caused by
switching mismatch, power supply, etc.
Finally, it is recommended that future researches should
concentrate on:
• Increasing the efficiency and decreasing the cost of
transformerless inverters.
• Conducting further research on cascaded multilevel
inverter technology and focusing on the sinusoidal
waveform rather than the conventional waveform
produced by the full-bridge circuits.
• Using the micro-inverter technology and investigating the
possibility of using this inverter in thin-film shingle roof
at the least cost.
• Using the common-mode current for switching rather
than using common-mode voltage.
REFERENCES
[1] Fritz Schimpf, Lars E. Norum, “Grid connected Converters for
Photovoltaic,State of the Art, Ideas for Improvement of
Transformerless Inverters”, NORPIE, June 9-11, 2008.
[2] JMA Myrzik, and M. Calais, “String and module integrated inverters
for single phase grid connected photovoltaic systems”- IEEE
Conference on Power Tech, June 23th-26th 2003 Bologna, Italy, vol. 2,
pp. 8.
[3] Sahan B, Notholt-Vergara A, Engler A, Zacharias P, “Development
of a Single-Stage Three-Phase PV Module Integrated Converter”,
European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications, 2-5
Sept. 2007, pp. 1-11.
[4] Tamás Kerekes, Remus Teodorescu, Pedro Rodríguez, Gerardo
Vázquez, Emiliano Aldabas, “A new high-efficiency single-phase
transformerless PV inverter topology”, IEEE transaction on industrial
electronics, June 2009, pp. 1.
[5] T.Kerekes, R.Teodorescu and U. Borup, “transformerless photovoltaic
inverters connected to the grid”. IEEE Transactions 2007, pp.1733-
1737.
[6] T. Kerekes, R. Teodorescu, M. Liserre, “Common Mode Voltage in
case of Transformerless PV Inverters Connected to the Grid”, IEEE
International Symposium on Industrial Electronics, June 30th- July 2nd
2008, pp. 2390 – 2395.
[7] Hinz H., Mutschler P., Calais M., “Control of a single phase three level
voltage source inverter for grid connected photovoltaic systems,”
PCIM 1998, Nürnberg 26.-28. May 1998, pp. 599-606.
[8] Lopez, Oscar Teodorescu, Remus Freijedo, Francisco Doval Gandoy,
Jesus, “Leakage current evaluation of a single-phase transformerless
PV inverter connected to the grid”, Twenty Second Annual IEEE on
Applied Power Electronics Conference(APEC), Feb. 25- March 1
2007. pp. 907-912.
[9] Martina Calais, Lawrence J.Borle, Vassilios G. Agelidis, Michael S.
Dymond, “Control aspects of a transformerless five levels cascaded
inverter based single-phase photovoltaic systems”, T.IEE Japan,
Vol.121-D, NO 4-2001, pp.437-438.
[10] Valentini, M. Raducu, A. Sera, D. Teodorescu, R., “PV inverter test
setup for European efficiency, static and dynamic MPPT efficiency
evaluation”, 11th International Conference on Optimization of
Electrical and Electronic Equipment, OPTIM, 22-24 May 2008, pp.
433-438.
[11] Roberto Gonzalez, Jesus Lopez, Pablo Sanchis, Eugenio Gubia,
Alfredo Ursua and Luis Marroy, “High-Efficiency Transformeress
Single-phase Photovoltaic Inverter”, EPE-PEMC 2006, Portoroz,
Slovenia, IEEE 2006, pp.1895-1900.
[12] R Sharma and T Ahfock, “Distortion in Single Phase Current
Controlled PV Inverters for Grid Connection”, Conference AUPEC
26th-29th September 2004, Brisbane, Australia. pp. 1-5.
[13] Bowtell, Leslie and Ahfock, Tony L. “Comparison between Unipolar
and bipolar single phase grid-connected inverters for PV applications”,
AUPEC, 9-12 Dec 2007, pp. 1-5.
[14] Roberto González, Eugenio Gubía, Jesús López, and Luis Marroyo,
“Transformerless Single-Phase Multilevel-Based Photovoltaic
Inverter”, IEEE Transaction on industrial electronics, Vol 55, No. 7,
July 2008, pp.2964-2700.
[15] S.M.Rashi, N.Mariun, N.F.Mailah, S.Alhalali, “low harmonics single-
phase multilevel power inverter”, Asian journal of scientific research
l(3), 2008, Asian network for scientific information. pp. 274-275.