AN INTELLIGENT HYBRID TRANSFORMERLESS SOLAR PV GRIDCONNECTED INVERTER FOR REACTIVE POWER MANAGEMENT AND LEAKAGE CURRENT MINIMIZATION

Abstract

The increasing adoption of photovoltaic (PV) systems has accelerated the demand for efficient, reliable, and cost-effective grid-connected inverter topologies. Transformer-less inverters have emerged as an attractive solution due to their high efficiency, reduced size, lower cost, and improved power density. However, these systems are susceptible to common-mode leakage current, which affects safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and overall system performance. This paper presents a hybrid singlephase transformer-less solar photovoltaic gridconnected inverter capable of providing reactive power support while significantly reducing leakage current. The proposed inverter topology combines an optimized switching configuration with an advanced control strategy to ensure efficient power conversion, stable grid synchronization, and compliance with grid interconnection standards. Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) is employed to maximize solar energy extraction under varying environmental conditions, while the inverter simultaneously injects active power and compensates reactive power to improve grid voltage regulation and power factor. Furthermore, the proposed modulation technique effectively suppresses common-mode voltage variations, thereby minimizing leakage current without compromising conversion efficiency. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed inverter achieves low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), enhanced power quality, high conversion efficiency, excellent reactive power capability, and stable operation under different irradiance and load conditions. The hybrid transformer-less inverter offers a practical and efficient solution for modern residential and distributed solar PV applications, supporting smart grid integration with improved safety, reliability, and energy utilization.