A new topology for single stage thyristor based grid connected single phase inverter for renewable energy systems

For harnessing bulk power from the solar photovoltaic (PV) cell/ array and to supply it to the utility grid, dc-to-ac converters are needed. For this purpose, both single-stage and multi-stage converters are being used which include PWM inverters. Recently, thyristor based dc-to-ac converters were reported for low-power, grid connected inverters for solar photovoltaic (PV) applications. This paper proposes a new topology for single phase grid connected line commutated inverter which gives lower harmonics in input line current as compared to conventional line commutated grid connected inverter. The proposed topology is analyzed in continuous, just continuous and discontinuous modes. The performances of conventional and proposed topologies are compared through MATLAB/Simulink based model. A laboratory prototype of the proposed converter is also developed and successfully implemented to validate the simulation results.