Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 49 (2015) 1171–1179

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Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/rser

A three-phase NPC grid-connected inverter for photovoltaic

applications using neural network MPPT
Houria Boumaaraf a, Abdelaziz Talha a,n, Omar Bouhali b
a
Laboratory of Instrumentation, Faculty of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, BP 32 El-Alia,
Bab-Ezzouar, 16111 Algiers, Algeria
b
Mecatronic Laboratory, Jijel University, BP 98, Ouled Aissa, Jijel, Algeria

art ic l e i nf o a b s t r a c t

Article history: The overall efficiency of a grid-connected photovoltaic power generation systems depends on the
Received 11 April 2014 efficiency of the DC-into-AC conversion. This paper presents a comparative study of the performances of
Received in revised form a photovoltaic (PV) system connected to the grid using two different inverters namely the two-level
22 March 2015
inverter and the three-level Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) Voltage Source Inverter (VSI). For the grid
Accepted 24 April 2015
connected it is desirable to provide the unity power factor and a less output harmonic voltage.
To generate the maximum power from a photovoltaic generator in the environmental changes, a new
Keywords: Neural Network Maximum Power Point Tracking ‘NN-MPPT’ controller is developed. The fuzzy logic
MPPT controller MPPT is used to generate the training data bases of the NN-MPPT.
Buck-Boost
Simulation results carried out using Matlab-Simulink to highlight the performance of the proposed
Grid
scheme based on a three-level NPC-VSI and the proposed NN-MPPT controller.
Multilevel
Neural network & 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1171
2. PV model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1172
3. Maximum power extraction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1172
3.1. Buck-Boost type DC–DC converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1172
3.2. Fuzzy logic MPP tracking controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1173
3.3. Neural network MPPT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1173
4. Modeling and control of the DC/AC inverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1174
4.1. Two-level inverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1174
4.2. Multilevel inverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1175
4.3. PWM strategy of the three-level NPC VSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1175
5. Control of the grid power transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1176
5.1. Modeling and control of the grid powers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1176
5.2. Control of current in the dq axis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1177
6. Simulation results and comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1178
6.1. Effect of irradiance variation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1178
6.2. Effect of temperature variation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1178
7. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1179
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1179

n
Corresponding author. Tel.: +213 550809192; fax: +213 21 20 76 64.
E-mail addresses: boumaaraf.houria@gmail.com (H. Boumaaraf), atalha@usthb.dz (A. Talha), bouhali_omar@univ-jijel.dz (O. Bouhali).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.066
1364-0321/& 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
1172 H. Boumaaraf et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 49 (2015) 1171–1179

Converter Multilevel
DC/DC Inverter
Rnet , L net
vc1 C

vc 2 C

PV

MPPT
Grid

Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of PV generation system.

Rs I
I sh Ii I ce IL I c2 I o
Id1 Id2 D
S
I ph Rsh V R Load Vs
Vi C1 L C 2 R L Vo

Is
Fig. 2. Equivalent electrical circuit of a cell.
Fig. 3. Buck-Boost converter.

1. Introduction and control of the DC/AC inverter is presented in Section 4. In the

Section 5, the control of the grid power transit is presented. The
Photovoltaic generation (PVG) is being increasingly important as simulation results are given in the Section 6. A conclusion is given in
a renewable source since it offers many advantages such as the last Section 7.
incurring no fuel costs, no pollution, and emitting no noise among
other alternatives [1,2]. In this context, it is necessary to optimize
the performance of PV systems through the operation of conversion 2. PV model
systems to increase the output efficiency of the overall system.
Therefore, the control of maximum power point tracking for the The equivalent electrical circuit of a solar cell is shown in Fig. 2.
solar array is required in a PV generator system [3]. It consist in a light-generated current source, two diodes, series
Multilevel voltage source inverter configuration is one of the and parallel resistors [8,13,14].
solutions to avoid such problems between the photovoltaic system The characteristic equation for the current and voltage of a
and the grid, as it allows a reduction in harmonic content of voltage solar cell is given by
and current waveforms, switching frequency, and semi-conductor's 
  
 
voltage level [4,5]. It appears to be a very good solution for solar qðV þ Rs I Þ qðV þ R s I Þ
I ¼ I ph  I s1 exp  1  I s2 exp 1
applications, as PV arrays concatenation is straight forward to each n1 kT n2 kT
level of the DC link [6]. V þ Rs I
 ð1Þ
The typical configuration of a three-phase grid-connected Rsh
photovoltaic system is shown in Fig. 1. It consists of solar array,
Back-Boost DC–DC with MPPT controller, DC-link, three-phase where I is the solar-cell output current (A), V is the solar cell output
inverter, RLs filter and a grid. The solar cells are connected in a voltage (V), Iph is the light generated current (A), Is1 and Is2 are,
series-parallel configuration to match the required solar voltage and respectively, the first and the second diode reverse saturation
power rating. The three-phase inverter with filter inductor converts current (A), q is the electronic charge¼ 1,6.10  19 C, n1 and n2 are,
a DC input voltage into an AC sinusoidal voltage by means of respectively, the dimensionless deviation factor from the first and
appropriate switch signals to make the output current in phase the second diodes, k is Boltzmann's constant¼1.3807  10  23 J K  1,
with the grid voltage to obtain a unity power factor [7]. T is the cell temperature (K), Rs is the series resistance (Ω), and Rsh is
A MPPT command is used to track the maximum power point such the shunt resistance (Ω).
as perturb and observe method, incremental conductance method,
fuzzy logic MPPT, etc. [8–12]. These algorithms compute the MPP
online when the meteorological conditions change and oscillate around 3. Maximum power extraction
the MPP [8–12]. To overcome these inconvenient, a new controller has
been proposed which is based on neural network trained by using of 3.1. Buck-Boost type DC–DC converter
fuzzy logic MPPT as data bases. The NN-MPPT gives directly the MPP in
one step if the meteorological conditions change. The impedance adaptation between a photovoltaic generator
This paper is organized as follows; in the Section 2 a PV model is and a load is a technological problem in order to transfer the
presented. In the Section 3, the new NN-MPPT is given. The modeling maximum of the generated power [15,16]. To resolve this problem
 H. Boumaaraf et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 49 (2015) 1171–1179 1173

we use an adaptation block made up of a Buck-Boost converter where

controlled by a control circuit (Fig. 3). 1
The approximated dynamic model of the Buck-Boost converter η¼ RL I o
ð4Þ
1þ
ð1  δ Þ
2
is given by the following equations system [17,18]: Vo
8  
> dV i Where Vo and Vi are, respectively, the output and input voltage of
> I L ¼ δ I i  C 1 dt
1
>
>
< the converter, δ is the duty cycle of the Buck-Boost converter and Io

I o ¼  1  δ I L  C 2 dV o
ð2Þ is the output current.
>
>  
dt

>
>
: V i ¼ δ  1  δ V o þ L dt
1 dIL

3.2. Fuzzy logic MPP tracking controller

then, the expression of the conversion ratio is given as follows:
Vo δ The maximum power that can be delivered by a PV panel
MðδÞ ¼ ¼η ð3Þ
Vi 1δ depends greatly on the meteorological condition such as insula-
tion level and the operating temperature. Therefore, it is necessary
to track the maximum power point at all times [17,19–21].
Fuzzy logic controllers have the advantage of working with
imprecise inputs, do not need an accurate mathematical model,
and the capability of handling nonlinearities.
The two input variables of the fuzzy logic controllers (FLC) are
the error E and change of error CE at sampled times k as defined by
[20,21]:
(
EðkÞ ¼ VPððkkÞÞ  P ðk  1Þ
 V ðk  1Þ
ð5Þ
CEðkÞ ¼ EðkÞ  Eðk  1Þ

Fig. 4. Neural network. Where P(k) is the instantaneous power of the photovoltaic
generator.
The input E(k) gives an indication on whether of the load
operation point at the instant k is located on the left or on the right
1000
of the maximum power point on the photovoltaic characteristic.

800
3.3. Neural network MPPT
E [W/m2]

600
This method is based on artificial intelligence, rejoining the
400 capacity of the neural networks training to the possibility of
integration of the expert's making knowledge [22,23].
200 A neural network has three layers called the input layer, hidden
layer and output layer [24], as shown in Fig. 4. The inputs variables
of our neural network are the photovoltaic array parameters such
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
as open circuit voltage VOC and short circuit current ISC, atmo-
t[s]
spheric data as irradiation and temperature. The output is the duty
Fig. 5. Evolution of the eradiation used for the generation of the data base. cycle of the DC converter.

Fig. 6. Evolution of the error at the time of the training.

1174 H. Boumaaraf et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 49 (2015) 1171–1179

The performance of the neural network depends on the
functions used by the hidden layer and how well the neural
network has been trained. The links between the nodes are all
weighted [25,26].
In Fig. 4 the weight between nodes i and j is labeled as Wij.
These weights are adjusted in the training process. To execute this
training process, data of the patterns between inputs and outputs
of the neural network are recorded over a lengthy period of time,
so that the maximum power point (MPP) can be accurately
tracked.
Our data base contains two inputs: the error E and change of
error CE, and only one output: variation of the cyclic report of the
static inverter (δ). This data base is elaborated from the photo-
voltaic system built around the fuzzy regulator.
Fig. 5 represents the evolution of the irradiation used for the
generation of the data base of the neural network.
We thus form a data base of 40,001 pairs of inputs/outputs.
Entry “in”: formed of two vectors E and CE.
Exit “out”: formed of only one vector which is α.
The evolution of the training is made in three stages:
Training: training with 70% of the data.
Validation: only applied to 15% of the data.
Test: testing is performed on the remaining 15% of the data.
Fig. 6 shows the evolution of the training in its three stages.
In the second test, the irradiance is a constant value of 1000 W/m2,
but the temperature changes between 10 1C and 75 1C as shown on
Fig. 7. The evolution of the training is represented in Fig. 8.
80
70
60
50
T [C°]
The two studied MPPT algorithms are compared in terms of
their tracking capability at variable environmental conditions
(Fig. 9).
Figs. 10 and 11 represent the behavior of the two algorithms in
the presence of temperature variation.
We note that the two regulators carry on the evolution of the
MPP perfectly but the neural network controlled system is more
precise and more direct in the continuation of the MPP. It can also
be observed that the neural network controller reaches MPP faster
compared to the fuzzy logic controller.
4. Modeling and control of the DC/AC inverter
Inverter technology is the key technology to have reliable and
safety grid interconnection operation of PV system. It is also
required to generate high quality power to ac utility system with
reasonable cost. To meet with these requirements, up to date
technologies of power electronics are applied for PV inverters
[6,27].
4.1. Two-level inverter
The three-phase two-level PWM voltage source inverters con-
sist of three identical arms (Fig. 12), each of them includes two
switches [28]. Each switch is composed of a recovery diode and a
bicommandable switch made up in head-digs.
50
Fuzzy logic
Neural network
40

30
P (W)

79.464
40 76.4

30 20
20
10 76.1
10 79
20,98 20,94 47,32 47,498

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
t[s] t (s)
Fig. 7. Change of the temperature used for the generation of the data base. Fig. 9. Comparing controllers powers in a variable irradiance.

Fig. 8. Evolution of the error at the time of the training.

 H. Boumaaraf et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 49 (2015) 1171–1179 1175

120
Fuzzy logic
100 Neural network

80
P (W)

89
60 88,62

40
88,9
20 88,54

18,06 18,12 62,16 62,2 62,16

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
t (s)
Fig. 10. Comparing controllers powers in a variable temperature.

Fig. 13. Three-level NPC inverter.

50

40 Fuzzy logic
Neural network I neti Rnet Lnet
P [W]

30
Vneti VKN
20

10
Fig. 14. Electrical model of phase of the electrical grid.
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5
t [s] required to clamp one terminal of each transistor to the capacitor
Fig. 11. System responses in a variable irradiance. mid-point. If voltages across capacitors are controlled to be equal
to the half value of the full DC voltage, each transistor in off state
holds the half value of the full DC voltage.
The output voltages of the inverter relatively to the middle
point M are defined as follows:
2 3 2 b 3 2 b 3
V AM F 11 F 10
6
6 V 7 6 Fb 7 7 6 b 7
4 BM 5 ¼ 4 21 5U C1  4 F 20 7
6
5U C2 ð7Þ
V CM F b31 F b30

The simple output voltages are also defined as:

2 3 2 382 b 3 2 b 3 9
VA 2  1 1 > >
<
F 11 F 10 >
>
=
6 V 7 16 7 6 6 b 77
6 b 7
6 7
4 B 5 ¼ 4 1 2 1 5 4 F 21 5U C1  4 F 20 5U C2 ð8Þ
3 >
> >
>
VC 1 1 2 : F b31 F b30 ;
Fig. 12. Two-level inverter.

The input currents of the inverter are given as follow [13]:

This type of inverter is known as an on two levels because its 8
output voltage has two voltage levels ( E and þ E). < id1 ¼ F b i1 þ F b i2 þ F b i3
11 21 31
The simple output voltages at the boundaries of the load VA, VB ð9Þ
: id2 ¼ F b10 i1 þ F b20 i2 þ F b30 i3
and VC are defined as follows:
2 3 2 32 3 While the current id0 is defined by the following relation:
VA 2 1 1 FA
6V 7 1 6 7 6F 7
4 B 5 ¼ 4 1 2  1 5:4 B 5U C ð6Þ id0 ¼ ði1 þ i2 þ i3 Þ  ðid1 þ id2 Þ ð10Þ
3
VC 1 1 2 FC
Where F bi1 andF bi0
are the halfarms connection function associated,
respectively, to the upper and lower half arms
8 8 8
4.2. Multilevel inverter < F b ¼ F 11 F 12 < F b ¼ F 21 F 22 < F b ¼ F 31 F 32
11 21 31
; ; ð11Þ
: F b10 ¼ F 13 F 14 : F b20 ¼ F 23 F 24 : F b30 ¼ F 33 F 34
Multilevel inverters have many advantages for medium and
high power systems as they synthesize a higher output voltage i(1,2,3): arm number.
than the voltage rating of each switching device [6,27,29]. Stepped
output voltage allows a reduction in harmonic contents of voltage
and current waveforms, switching frequency, and the voltage level 4.3. PWM strategy of the three-level NPC VSI
of semiconductors.
Fig. 13 shows the schematic diagram of a Neutral Point The inverter is controlled by the space vector modulation
Clamped (NPC) three-level inverter [6,30,31]. As the load current strategy which uses two bipolar carriers. This strategy is char-
is alternative, switches are required and are made of four transis- acterized by two parameters [32,33]: the modulation index m
tors with anti-parallel diodes. Additional steering diodes are (m ¼ f p =f ) and the modulation rate r (r ¼ Vm/Upm).
1176 H. Boumaaraf et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 49 (2015) 1171–1179

(
It sets from vector reference VSref, V Sref ¼ ðV ref 1 ; V ref 2 ; V ref 3 Þt BK1 ¼ BK4
with ð15Þ
vector of a new reference Vsref1 associated with half-arm at the top BK2 ¼ BK3
and bottom define as follows:
Starting from the vector of reference VSref: V Sref ¼ ðV ref 1 ;
V ref 2 ; V ref 3 Þt , we define two new vectors of reference VSref1 and
VSref0. The reference vector VSref1 is associated with half-arms at the 5. Control of the grid power transit
top of the multilevel inverter, whereas the vector VSref0 is asso-
ciated to the bottom half-arms: 5.1. Modeling and control of the grid powers

  
max V Sref þ min V Sref The electrical model of one phase of the electrical grid is shown
V Sref 1 ½i ¼ V Sref ½iV 0 
2 in Fig. 14. The grid is represented by a voltage source in series with

  
max V Sref þ min V Sref an inductance, and a resistor Rnet to attenuate the undulation of
V Sref 0 ½i ¼ V Sref ½i þ V 0 ð12Þ the current. Using Park components, the grid voltages can be given
2
as follows [34,35]:
With i¼1, 2, 3. " # " # " # " # " # " #
The different steps of this algorithm can be summarized as V dnet Rnet  Lnet ω id 0 Lnet d id Vd
¼ U þ U þ
follows: V qnet Lnet ω Rnet iq Lnet 0 dt iq Vq

ð16Þ
 Step 1: determination of intermediate voltages
V 1M ½i and V 0M ½i Active and reactive powers can be expressed with Park com-
8 ponents of the grid voltages and currents
>
> V Sref 1 ½i Z U p1 ) V 1KM ½i ¼ U c
>
> (
< V Sref 1 ½i o U p1 ) V 1KM ½i ¼ 0 Pg ¼ vsd isd þ vsq isq
ð13Þ ð17Þ
> V Sref 0 ½i Z U p2 ) V 0KM ½i ¼ 0 Q g ¼ vsd isq  vsq isd
>
>
>
: V Sref 0 ½i o U p2 ) V 0KM ½i ¼  U c
By inverting these relations, it is possible to regulate the active
and reactive power supply to the grid by setting the filter current
 Step 2: determination of the intermediate variable V2M[i] references according to
8 _ _
Pgref :vsd  Q gref :vsq
>
< isd_ref ¼
V 2M ½i ¼ V 1KM ½i þ V 0KM ½i ð14Þ _ 2 _ 2
v sd þ v sq
_ _ ð18Þ
 Step 3: determination of the switch control orders >
: isq_ref ¼ Pgref_:vsq2 þ_
Q gref :vsd
vs þ vs 2 d q

8
> V ½i ¼ U c ) Bi1 ¼ 1 ; Bi2 ¼ 1
< 2M The current references are gathered in the following vector:
V 2M ½i ¼ 0 ) Bi1 ¼ 1 ; Bi2 ¼ 0 ;

>
: V ½i ¼  U ) B ¼ 0 ; B ¼ 0 Isdq_ref ¼ isd_ref ; isq_ref T ð19Þ
2M c i1 i2

2000 1000
Inv 2 levels Inv 3 levels NPC
1500 500
Q (VAR)
P (W)

1000 0

500 Inv 2 levels -500

Inv 3 levels NPC
0 -1000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
t (s) t (s)
Fig. 15. Grid active and reactive power.

0 0
Conv 2 levels Conv 3 levels NPC
-2
-5
Id (A)

Id (A)

-4
-10
-6

-8 -15
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
t (s) t (s)
Fig. 16. Direct current.
 H. Boumaaraf et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 49 (2015) 1171–1179 1177

5.2. Control of current in the dq axis To obtain a good precision, we use a Proportional and Integral
(PI) regulator [35]. Its transfer function is given by
The coupling which exists between the two currents id and iq makes

the established model very complex with regards to the regulation. To 1 þ T iS
H ðS Þ ¼ K U ð20Þ
solve this problem, we usually proceed by decoupling the two T iS
parameters by compensation, which consists in adding the terms
Lnetωiqref and Lnetωidref to the loop of the internal regulation [33,35]. with
10Rnet T i
K¼ ð21Þ
Te

where K is the regulator gain, Ti: is the integral action and Te

200 Inv 2 levels Inv 3 levels NPC
represents the time constant of the Rnet Lnet filter.

Lnet
Vd (V)

-200 Te ¼ ð22Þ
Rnet
-600
The coupling which exists between the two currents id and iq
makes the established model very complex with regards to the
-1000 regulation. To solve this problem, we usually proceed by decou-
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
pling the two parameters by compensation, which consists in
t (s)
adding the terms Lnetωiqref and Lnetωidref to the loop of the internal
Fig. 17. Direct voltage. regulation [33,35].

Inv 2 levels Inv3 levels NPC

4 500
2
Iq (A)

Vq (V)

0 0

-2
-4 -500 Inv 2 levels Inv 3 levels NPC

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
t (s) t (s)
Fig. 18. Quadratic current and voltages.

2000 1000
Inv 2 levels Inv 3 levels NPC
1500 500
Q (VAR)
P (W)

1000 0

500 Inv 2 levels -500

Inv 3 levels NPC
-1000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
t (s) t (s)
Fig. 19. Grid active and reactive power.

0
0
Conv 3 levels NPC
Conv 2 levels
-2
-2
-4
Id (A)
Id (A)

-4 -6

-8
-6
-10

-8 -12
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
t (s) t (s)

Fig. 20. Direct current.

1178 H. Boumaaraf et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 49 (2015) 1171–1179

6. Simulation results and comparison
A set of several simulations have been carried out to test the
above presented methods. In these simulations, we used the same
filter parameters, where the grid was set to be pure sinusoidal. The
DC input voltage was set to 300 V. These simulations were carried
out using Matlab-SIMULINK platform in which a SIMULINK model
of the whole chain calls a Matlab function where the method is
implemented.
The inverter is supplied by a 16 photovoltaic panels with
Q¼0VAR.
6.1. Effect of irradiance variation
forward voltage vd is negative. On the other hand, the quadratic
current iq represents the image of the reactive power Q (Figs. 19
and 22). In all cases and regardless of the variation of meteor-
ological parameters, the grid currents and voltages result in a
power factor equal to unity (Fig. 23).
The harmonic spectrum for the two inverters is presented in
Figs. 24 and 25. We found that the amount of odd harmonics
present in the two levels inverter is almost twice their amount for
that of the three levels, which implies a better stability of the
system with the latter.
Therefore, we can say that the reliability of the three-level NPC
inverter is much better compared to the two-levels considering
the quality of the output signal.

In the first case, and in order to test the stability of the system
against meteorological parameters variation and under a constant
temperature, we increase the irradiance between 600 W/m2 and 400

Vgrid [ V ] ; Igrid*18 [ A ]
1000 W/m2 during 20 s; and after a stabilization of 10 seconds we Igrid 2 Conv levels Igrid 3 Conv levels

decrease the irradiance with the same value during 20 s. Simula- 200
tion results for this case are shown in Figs. 15–18.
0

6.2. Effect of temperature variation

-200

In this case, we study the effect of temperature variation on the -400

evolution of the operating point of the photovoltaic panel. For a 30 30.2
t (s)
standard irradiance (E ¼1000 W/m2), we increase the temperature
between 25 1C and 75 1C during 30 s, and after a stabilization of Fig. 23. Grid currents and voltages.
20 s we decrease the temperature with the same value during 30 s.
The responses of the system are given in Figs. 19–22.
In Fig. 23, we represent the grid currents and voltages at unity
Mag (% of Fundamental)

power factor (the current Igrid injected into the grid is exactly in 100
phase with the grid voltage Vgrid).
75
The performed simulations, which the results have been pre-
sented above show some good performance for both inverters. 50
Especially in the case of the NPC topology, in which much better 25
results are achieved. This is the case where the middle point of the
input capacitors is connected to Neutral, resulting in the reduction 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
of the voltage fluctuations present at the PV panel terminals. Harmonic order of the three-level inverter
We observe that the active and reactive powers follow their
Fig. 24. Harmonic spectrum of the three-level inverter.
references perfectly (Figs. 15 and 19). The direct current id follows
the form of the active power but with an opposite sign because the

200 Inv 2 levels Inv 3 levels NPC

Mag (% of Fundamental)

100
Vd V)

-200 75

50
-600
25

-1 000 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
t (s) Harmonic order of the two-level inverter

Fig. 21. Direct voltages. Fig. 25. Harmonic spectrum of the two-level inverter.

4 Inv 2 levels Inv 3 levels NPC

500
2
Iq (A)

Vq (V)

0 0
-2
-4 -500 Inv 2 levels Inv 3 levels NPC

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 20 40 60 80
t (s) t (s)
Fig. 22. Quadratic current and voltages.
 H. Boumaaraf et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 49 (2015) 1171–1179
7. Conclusion
The integration of the multilevel inverter NPC as an adaptation
interface between the photovoltaic system of production and the
electrical supply network is very judicious. It presents attractive
advantages compared to conventional inverters, such as low
harmonic distortion of the output waveform, and employment of
low voltage. Unity power factor and high efficiency with power
output are also achieved. The NPC is also a good choice for PV
inverters, due to its grounded middle point, which minimizes the
voltage fluctuations present at the PV panel terminals.
The proposed neural network MPPT provides faster and stable
tracking of the maximum power (given the MPP in one step). The
neural network is trained off line by using a result of fuzzy logic
regulators MPPT as a data base. Therefore, the obtained NN-MPPT
overcomes the problem of permanent research of the MPP in the
classical methods.
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