A Comprehensive Study on Solar Battery Charging Topologies and Power Inverter Architectures: A Review
Keywords:
4-stage charging, DC-DC converter, MPPT charger, PWM charger, Single-phase inverter, Three-phase inverter, Z-source inverterAbstract
Efficient regulation and conversion of electrical power are critical for optimizing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This paper presents a detailed study of photovoltaic power management, focusing on charge controllers, DC-DC converter topologies, and inverter architecture. Two main types of solar charge controllers-Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)-are examined. The operational principles of PWM controllers are detailed across multi-stage charging profiles (bulk, absorption, float, and equalization) for lead-acid batteries, alongside optimized two-stage charging for lithium-ion units. For high-efficiency extraction, MPPT systems utilizing Buck, Boost, and Buck-Boost topologies are analyzed based on duty cycle (D) control to track the maximum power point (Pm = Vmp×Imp) under varying irradiance and thermal conditions. Furthermore, the paper details DC-to-AC conversion using single-phase (H-bridge) and three-phase inverter topologies driven by MOSFET switching, Arduino-based microcontrollers, and optocoupler galvanic isolation. To overcome the voltage limitations of traditional inverters, the integration of Z-Source Inverter (ZSI) architecture using LC passive networks is investigated to achieve boost capabilities without extra switching stages. Finally, a practical design evaluation of the conversion of 12 V DC to 220V AC is presented
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