Harmonic Reduction through Neutral Point Clamped Grid-Connected PV System using IcosΦ Algorithm

A three-phase shunt active filtering algorithm, Icos
$\Phi$
, is proposed and implemented in a three-level Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV) system. IcosΦ is one simple algorithm that achieves better harmonic reduction, reactive power, and unbalanced compensation. The NPC is preferred over traditional two-level inverters as it minimizes semiconductor losses. The solar PV array is designed, and the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique is applied to the Boost converter to extract the maximum power from the PV array. The NPC inverter employs a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) control to convert the DC voltage of the Boost converter into sinusoidal AC. The harmonic analyses are performed on the grid before and after implementing the IcosΦ algorithm. The MATLAB simulations show that the proposed algorithm reduces harmonics within the allowable limits and demonstrates the efficiency of a grid-connected PV system.