The modern transform toward renewable energy sources has raised the use of Photovoltaic array and
Multilevel Inverters (MLIs) in the current power systems. These technologies are not only able to relieve
the problems related to the shortage of fossil fuels but also help to curb global warming and pollution
of the environment. A 7-level MLI, which is controlled by Sinuoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM)
is explored as a method of PV integration in this work. The rationale behind the selection of SPWM is
that SPWM has low switching losses and high efficiency, thus it can provide output waveforms with
attributes that are like pure sinuoidal signals when the load is resistive. To optimally improve
performance, an LC filter is used to further minimize Total Harmonic Distortion, which consequently
improves the quality of power and provides compatibility with the grid. Simulation studies are
conducted using MATLAB/Simulink to test the effectiveness of the system, and it is noble in terms of
efficiency, reliability, and the possibility of using clean energy. The suggested solution shows a
sustainable and practical solution that corresponds with the modern trend of moving to the
environmentally friendly and efficient generation of power.

Keywords: Photovoltaic (PV), multilevel inverter (MLI), sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM),
total harmonic distortion (THD), renewable energy integration .

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1. Tarek MSI, Siam A, Zia M, Rahman MM. A novel five-level inverter topology with reactive power control for grid-connected PV system. In: 2018 International Conference on Smart Grid and Clean Energy Technologies (ICSGCE). Piscataway (NJ): IEEE; 2018. pp. 101–105. doi: 10.1109/ICSGCE.2018.8556812.
2. Franquelo LG, Rodriguez J, Leon JI, Kouko S, Portillo R. The age of multilevel converters arrives. IEEE Ind Electron Mag. 2008;2(2):28–39.
3. Tolbert LM, Peng FZ, Habetler TG. Multilevel converters for large electric drives. IEEE Trans Ind Appl. 1999;35(1):36–44. doi: 10.1109/28.740843.
4. Lai JS, Peng FZ. Multilevel converters—A new breed of power converters. IEEE Trans Ind Appl. 1996;32(3):509–517. doi: 10.1109/IAS.1995.530601.
5. Rodriguez JR, Lai JS, Peng FZ. Multilevel inverters: A survey of topologies, control, and applications. IEEE Trans Ind Electron. 2002;49(4):724–738. doi: 10.1109/TIE.2002.801052.
6. Rodriguez JR, Dixon JW, Espinoza JR, Pontt J, Lezana P. PWM regenerative rectifiers: State of the art. IEEE Trans Ind Electron. 2005;52(1):5–22. doi: 10.1109/TIE.2004.841149.
7. Cecati C, Dell’Aquila A, Liserre M, Monopoli VG. A passivity-based multilevel active rectifier with adaptive compensation for traction applications. IEEE Trans Ind Appl. 2003;39(5):1404–1413. doi: 10.1109/TIA.2003.816552.
8. Kjaer SB, Pedersen JK, Blaabjerg F. A review of single-phase grid-connected inverters for photovoltaic modules. IEEE Trans Ind Appl. 2005;41(5):1292–1306. doi: 10.1109/TIA.2005.853371.
9. Gonzalez R, Gubia E, Lopez J, Marroyo L. Transformerless single-phase multilevel-based photovoltaic inverter. IEEE Trans Ind Electron. 2008;55(7):2694–2702. doi: 10.1109/TIE.2008.924015.
10. Alonso O, Sanchis P, Gubia E, Marroyo L. Cascaded H-bridge multilevel converter for grid connected photovoltaic generators with independent maximum power point tracking of each solar array. In: Proceedings of the 34th IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference (PESC); 2003 Jun 15–19; Acapulco, Mexico. New York: IEEE; 2003;2:731–735. doi: 10.1109/PESC.2003.1218146.
11. Ganthia BP, Sahu PK, Mohanty A. Minimization of total harmonic distortion using pulse width modulation technique. IOSR J Electr Electron Eng. 2018;13(2):1–6. doi: 10.9790/1676-10340112.
12. Mohanty M, Nayak N, Ganthia BP, Behera MK. Power smoothening of photovoltaic system using dynamic PSO with ESC under partial shading condition. In: 2023 International Conference on Advances in Power, Signal, and Information Technology (APSIT); 2023 Jun. Piscataway (NJ): IEEE; 2023. pp. 675–680.
13. Ganthia BP, Rana PK, Patra T, Pradhan R, Sahu R. Design and analysis of gravitational search algorithm based TCSC controller in power system. Mater Today Proc. 2018;5(1):841–847.
14. Ganthia BP, Panda S, Remamany KP, Chaturvedi A, Begum AY, Mohan G, et al. Experimental techniques for enhancing PV panel efficiency through temperature reduction using water cooling and colour filters. Electr Eng. 2025;107(9):11349–11375. doi: 10.1007/s00202-025-03095-7.
15. Agoundedemba M, Kim CK, Kim HG, Nyenge R, Musila N. Modelling and optimization of microgrid with combined genetic algorithm and model predictive control of PV/Wind/FC/battery energy systems. Energy Rep. 2025;13:238–255. doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2024.12.008.
16. Ganthia BP, Praveen BM, Kabat SR, Mohapatra BK, Sethi R, Buradi A. Energy management in hybrid PV-wind-battery storage-based microgrid using droop control technique. J Mech Contin Math Sci. 2024;19(10):44–66. doi: 10.26782/jmcms.2024.10.00004.
17. Heredia-Larrubia JR, Perez-Hidalgo FM, Ruiz-Gonzalez A, Meco-Gutierrez MJ. Discontinuous multilevel pulse width modulation technique for grid voltage quality improvement and inverter loss reduction in photovoltaic systems. Electronics. 2025;14(13):2695. doi: 10.3390/electronics14132695.
18. Ganthia BP, Praveen BM. Optimized fault current prediction for DFIG-based wind turbines using type-I fuzzy logic controller. Int J Analog Integr Circuits. 2024;10(2):41–50.
19. Ganthia BP, Praveen BM. Review on scenario of wind power generations in India. Electr Eng. 2023;13(2):1–27.
20. Ganthia BP, Praveen BM. Stability analysis of type-III wind turbine systems using radial basis function networks (RBFNs). Int J Power Electron Control Convers. 2024;10(2):25–42.
21. Ganthia BP, Praveen BM. Enhancing low voltage ride-through capability in wind energy conversion systems using phasor. Int J Electr Power Syst Technol. 2024;10(2):15–40.
22. Priyadarshani S, Subhashini KR, Satapathy JK. Pathfinder algorithm optimized fractional order tilt-integral-derivative (FOTID) controller for automatic generation control of multi-source power system. Microsyst Technol. 2020;27:23–35. doi: 10.1007/s00542-020-04897-4.

The modern transform toward renewable energy sources has raised the use of Photovoltaic array and
Multilevel Inverters (MLIs) in the current power systems. These technologies are not only able to relieve
the problems related to the shortage of fossil fuels but also help to curb global warming and pollution
of the environment. A 7-level MLI, which is controlled by Sinuoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM)
is explored as a method of PV integration in this work. The rationale behind the selection of SPWM is
that SPWM has low switching losses and high efficiency, thus it can provide output waveforms with
attributes that are like pure sinuoidal signals when the load is resistive. To optimally improve
performance, an LC filter is used to further minimize Total Harmonic Distortion, which consequently
improves the quality of power and provides compatibility with the grid. Simulation studies are
conducted using MATLAB/Simulink to test the effectiveness of the system, and it is noble in terms of
efficiency, reliability, and the possibility of using clean energy. The suggested solution shows a
sustainable and practical solution that corresponds with the modern trend of moving to the
environmentally friendly and efficient generation of power.

Keywords: Photovoltaic (PV), multilevel inverter (MLI), sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM),
total harmonic distortion (THD), renewable energy integration .

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Tarek MSI, Siam A, Zia M, Rahman MM. A novel five-level inverter topology with reactive power control for grid-connected PV system. In: 2018 International Conference on Smart Grid and Clean Energy Technologies (ICSGCE). Piscataway (NJ): IEEE; 2018. pp. 101–105. doi: 10.1109/ICSGCE.2018.8556812.
2. Franquelo LG, Rodriguez J, Leon JI, Kouko S, Portillo R. The age of multilevel converters arrives. IEEE Ind Electron Mag. 2008;2(2):28–39.
3. Tolbert LM, Peng FZ, Habetler TG. Multilevel converters for large electric drives. IEEE Trans Ind Appl. 1999;35(1):36–44. doi: 10.1109/28.740843.
4. Lai JS, Peng FZ. Multilevel converters—A new breed of power converters. IEEE Trans Ind Appl. 1996;32(3):509–517. doi: 10.1109/IAS.1995.530601.
5. Rodriguez JR, Lai JS, Peng FZ. Multilevel inverters: A survey of topologies, control, and applications. IEEE Trans Ind Electron. 2002;49(4):724–738. doi: 10.1109/TIE.2002.801052.
6. Rodriguez JR, Dixon JW, Espinoza JR, Pontt J, Lezana P. PWM regenerative rectifiers: State of the art. IEEE Trans Ind Electron. 2005;52(1):5–22. doi: 10.1109/TIE.2004.841149.
7. Cecati C, Dell’Aquila A, Liserre M, Monopoli VG. A passivity-based multilevel active rectifier with adaptive compensation for traction applications. IEEE Trans Ind Appl. 2003;39(5):1404–1413. doi: 10.1109/TIA.2003.816552.
8. Kjaer SB, Pedersen JK, Blaabjerg F. A review of single-phase grid-connected inverters for photovoltaic modules. IEEE Trans Ind Appl. 2005;41(5):1292–1306. doi: 10.1109/TIA.2005.853371.
9. Gonzalez R, Gubia E, Lopez J, Marroyo L. Transformerless single-phase multilevel-based photovoltaic inverter. IEEE Trans Ind Electron. 2008;55(7):2694–2702. doi: 10.1109/TIE.2008.924015.
10. Alonso O, Sanchis P, Gubia E, Marroyo L. Cascaded H-bridge multilevel converter for grid connected photovoltaic generators with independent maximum power point tracking of each solar array. In: Proceedings of the 34th IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference (PESC); 2003 Jun 15–19; Acapulco, Mexico. New York: IEEE; 2003;2:731–735. doi: 10.1109/PESC.2003.1218146.
11. Ganthia BP, Sahu PK, Mohanty A. Minimization of total harmonic distortion using pulse width modulation technique. IOSR J Electr Electron Eng. 2018;13(2):1–6. doi: 10.9790/1676-10340112.
12. Mohanty M, Nayak N, Ganthia BP, Behera MK. Power smoothening of photovoltaic system using dynamic PSO with ESC under partial shading condition. In: 2023 International Conference on Advances in Power, Signal, and Information Technology (APSIT); 2023 Jun. Piscataway (NJ): IEEE; 2023. pp. 675–680.
13. Ganthia BP, Rana PK, Patra T, Pradhan R, Sahu R. Design and analysis of gravitational search algorithm based TCSC controller in power system. Mater Today Proc. 2018;5(1):841–847.
14. Ganthia BP, Panda S, Remamany KP, Chaturvedi A, Begum AY, Mohan G, et al. Experimental techniques for enhancing PV panel efficiency through temperature reduction using water cooling and colour filters. Electr Eng. 2025;107(9):11349–11375. doi: 10.1007/s00202-025-03095-7.
15. Agoundedemba M, Kim CK, Kim HG, Nyenge R, Musila N. Modelling and optimization of microgrid with combined genetic algorithm and model predictive control of PV/Wind/FC/battery energy systems. Energy Rep. 2025;13:238–255. doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2024.12.008.
16. Ganthia BP, Praveen BM, Kabat SR, Mohapatra BK, Sethi R, Buradi A. Energy management in hybrid PV-wind-battery storage-based microgrid using droop control technique. J Mech Contin Math Sci. 2024;19(10):44–66. doi: 10.26782/jmcms.2024.10.00004.
17. Heredia-Larrubia JR, Perez-Hidalgo FM, Ruiz-Gonzalez A, Meco-Gutierrez MJ. Discontinuous multilevel pulse width modulation technique for grid voltage quality improvement and inverter loss reduction in photovoltaic systems. Electronics. 2025;14(13):2695. doi: 10.3390/electronics14132695.
18. Ganthia BP, Praveen BM. Optimized fault current prediction for DFIG-based wind turbines using type-I fuzzy logic controller. Int J Analog Integr Circuits. 2024;10(2):41–50.
19. Ganthia BP, Praveen BM. Review on scenario of wind power generations in India. Electr Eng. 2023;13(2):1–27.
20. Ganthia BP, Praveen BM. Stability analysis of type-III wind turbine systems using radial basis function networks (RBFNs). Int J Power Electron Control Convers. 2024;10(2):25–42.
21. Ganthia BP, Praveen BM. Enhancing low voltage ride-through capability in wind energy conversion systems using phasor. Int J Electr Power Syst Technol. 2024;10(2):15–40.
22. Priyadarshani S, Subhashini KR, Satapathy JK. Pathfinder algorithm optimized fractional order tilt-integral-derivative (FOTID) controller for automatic generation control of multi-source power system. Microsyst Technol. 2020;27:23–35. doi: 10.1007/s00542-020-04897-4.