Power-one Italy S.p.a.

Simone Soldani

David Martini

Massimo Valiani

Andrea Marcianesi

The multi-level DC/AC converter, comprising: an input () connectable to a direct voltage source (), with a first connection () and a second connection () between which can be applied an input voltage (Vi); a half-bridge with a first controlled switch () and a second controlled switch () between which is positioned an output (U) of the converter; a first connecting branch () between the first controlled switch () and the first connection () and a second connecting branch () between the second controlled switch () and the second connection (); a third controlled switch () associated to the first controlled switch (), connectable in series to the first controlled switch to generate an output voltage exceeding a first limit value (Vi/2); a fourth controlled switch () associated to the second controlled switch (), connectable in series to said second controlled switch to generate an output voltage below a second limit value (&#x2212;Vi/2).

Five-stage neutral point clamped inverter

The system provides for one or more photovoltaic panels () or other energy sources, connected to a series of inverters () in parallel, the outputs of which are connected to a load (Z) and/or to an electricity distribution grid (). One of the inverters operates as master unit and generates a power control signal in order to track the maximum power point that can be obtained from the panels (). The other inverters operate as slave units. The control is performed so that all the inverters absorb a variable quantity of power according to the fluctuations in the power available at the output of the photovoltaic panels () or other source subject to fluctuations.

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Levane, Italy

Simone Soldani