Solar Energy Conversion Using Low Cost Inverter

This paper focuses on designing and implementing of an inverter and particularly focuses on developing a low cost transformer-less voltage source conversion that has a higher efficiency as well as compact in size. The complete design consists of DC-DC converter and a DC-AC inverter. The converter is dependent on switched capacitor techniques and steps 12Vdc to 240Vdc. The inverter is dependent on a full-bridge configuration which produces a 240Vac output from 240Vdc. To achieve the improvement in inverter efficiency and a reduction in cost, the power transformer and magnetic components such as inductors are eliminated. In addition, inverter voltage control techniques such as pulse width modulation (PWM) and switching of MOSFETs are optimized through digital control using ATtiny26L microcontroller unit.