Performance Analysis of Three-Phase Inverter for Minimizing Total Harmonic Distortion Using Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation Technique

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) energy is a clean and endless vital renewable energy. To generate electricity from solar energy an inverter is required to transform the dc current into alternating current. Most three-phase two-level inverters draw harmonics that cause waveform distortion and affect the electrical loads. The most widely used control process of the semiconductor switches is Pulse Width Modulation technique. There are numbers of Pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques used in industrial applications which require superior performance. The frequently used and well-known Pulse Width Modulation techniques are Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM), 60° Pulse Width Modulation (SDPWM) and Third Harmonic Pulse Width Modulation (THPWM). Another emerging modulation technique is Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM). These four techniques are described, examined and compared in terms of switching frequency and modulation index. By comparing these four modulation techniques it is justified that Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM) offers lower Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and better-quality output.