Space Vector Modulation Technique for Leakage Current Attenuation in Grid-Connected Three-Phase Multilevel PV Inverters

This paper proposes a Space Vector Modulation (SVM) based technique for leakage current attenuation and simultaneously provides capacitors voltage balance control. The principle of operation is based on a vector selection that produces a reduced common-mode voltage (CMV) variation. When a capacitor unbalance occurs, the operating mode is changed to perform the proper correction. The leakage current obtained is lower than the conventional SVM. The power quality is ensured, and no level is lost in phase and line voltages. The applied topology has the same number of controlled switches as the NPC inverter but does not need the clamping diodes, which reduces component costs. Simulation results are provided to validate the performance of the proposed technique.