1.
Project Overview
A micro inverter is a compact inverter that converts direct current (DC) from solar panels or
batteries into alternating current (AC), which is used for home appliances or can be fed into the
grid. Unlike traditional centralized inverters, micro inverters are connected to individual solar
panels, providing flexibility and greater efficiency by optimizing the performance of each panel.
The objective of this project is to design and develop a low-cost, efficient micro inverter system
that converts DC electricity from solar panels or batteries into 230V AC suitable for small-scale
appliances, such as lights or fans.
2. System Requirements and Specifications
Input
DC Input Source: Solar panel or DC power source (12V or 24V)
Output: 230V AC at 50Hz (compatible with household appliances)
Power Rating: 150W–300W
Major Components
1. Microcontroller: (e.g., Arduino Uno, ESP32) for system control.
2. DC-DC Converter: A boost converter circuit to step up the input DC voltage to a stable
level (e.g., 48V).
3. Inverter Circuit: H-bridge inverter to convert DC to AC using MOSFETs (e.g.,
IRF540).
4. Driver Circuit: IR2110 IC to drive MOSFETs in the inverter.
5. Transformer: Step-up transformer to convert low-voltage AC to the required 230V AC.
6. Oscillator Circuit: For generating sinusoidal PWM (SPWM) to drive the inverter.
7. Filters: LC filters to smooth the output AC waveform.
8. Protection Circuit: Overload and short-circuit protection with relays or fuses.
3. Circuit Design
Block Diagram
The overall structure of the system can be visualized as:
DC Input → Boost Converter → H-Bridge Inverter → Step-Up Transformer → Output
AC Power
3.1. Boost Converter
Objective: To step up the input voltage from the solar panel or DC source (12V or 24V)
to a desired DC level, e.g., 48V.
Key Components: Inductor (100-200 µH), Diode (e.g., 1N5408), Capacitor (220 µF),
and MOSFET (IRF540).
Operation: The MOSFET is driven by PWM from the microcontroller, switching rapidly
to store and release energy in the inductor, thereby stepping up the DC voltage.
3.2. H-Bridge Inverter
Objective: To convert the boosted DC voltage into a low-voltage AC signal.
Components: Four MOSFETs (e.g., IRF540 or IRF840), Driver IC (IR2110), and PWM
signals from the microcontroller.
Operation: The four MOSFETs in an H-bridge configuration alternate in pairs, switching
on and off to create AC pulses. The polarity of the AC waveform is controlled by
sinusoidal PWM signals generated by the microcontroller.
3.3. Step-Up Transformer
Objective: To step up the low-voltage AC output from the H-bridge to 230V AC for
household appliances.
Specifications: A center-tapped transformer with a primary winding (12V-0-12V) and a
secondary winding (230V AC).
Application: The transformer converts the 12V AC to the necessary 230V AC for
standard appliances.
3.4. LC Filter
Objective: To smooth out the AC waveform and remove high-frequency harmonics.
Components: Inductor (~1mH) and Capacitor (~10µF).
Operation: The LC filter smooths the output of the inverter to create a cleaner sine wave,
reducing ripple and harmonic distortion.
4. Microcontroller and PWM Generation
The Arduino Uno or ESP32 microcontroller is used to generate sinusoidal PWM (SPWM)
signals for controlling the MOSFETs. The code below demonstrates how the microcontroller
generates PWM signals based on a pre-calculated sine wave table.
cpp
CopyEdit
const int pwmPin1 = 9; // PWM output for MOSFET pair 1
const int pwmPin2 = 10; // PWM output for MOSFET pair 2
// Pre-calculated sine wave table (values from 0 to 255)
int sineTable[50] = {
128, 144, 160, 176, 191, 206, 220, 233, 245, 255,
255, 245, 233, 220, 206, 191, 176, 160, 144, 128,
112, 96, 80, 64, 49, 34, 20, 7, 0, 0,
7, 20, 34, 49, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 144,
160, 176, 191, 206, 220, 233, 245, 255, 255, 245
};
void setup() {
pinMode(pwmPin1, OUTPUT);
pinMode(pwmPin2, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
// Generate SPWM signals using the sineTable
for (int i = 0; i < 50; i++) {
analogWrite(pwmPin1, sineTable[i]); // Positive half-cycle
analogWrite(pwmPin2, 255 - sineTable[i]); // Negative half-cycle
delayMicroseconds(200); // Adjust for 50Hz frequency
}
}
The PWM signals are generated by accessing values from the sine table and modulating the duty
cycle accordingly to generate a sinusoidal waveform.
5. Testing and Expected Results
Testing
Input Voltage: Apply 12V or 24V DC to the system.
Output Voltage: Verify that the output voltage is 230V AC with minimal ripple.
Output Frequency: Adjust the PWM duty cycle to achieve a stable 50Hz frequency
suitable for household appliances.
Expected Results
Output Voltage: 230V AC ±5%
Output Frequency: 50Hz (for compatibility with standard appliances)
Power Output: 150W–300W (depending on system design)
Efficiency: Target efficiency of 80%–90%
6. Cost Estimation
Component Quantity Cost (Approx.)
Arduino Uno 1 $10
MOSFETs/IGBTs 4 $5
Driver IC (IR2110) 1 $2
Transformer 1 $15–$20
LC Filter Components 1 set $5
Solar Panel (Optional) 1 $20–$40
PCB and Soldering Kit - $10
Miscellaneous - $10
Total Cost - $50–$100
7. Project Timeline
Phase Duration Activities
1. Component Procurement 1 week Purchase and test components.
2. Circuit Design 2 weeks Design and assemble DC-DC converter and H-bridge.
3. Coding 1 week Program microcontroller for PWM generation.
4. Assembly 2 weeks Integrate components and build prototype.
5. Testing & Debugging 2 weeks Test output, troubleshoot, and optimize.
8. Advantages
Hands-On Learning: Gain experience in power electronics, renewable energy systems,
and microcontroller programming.
Scalability: The system can be expanded for larger solar power setups in the future.
Cost-Effective: This project demonstrates energy conversion with a minimal budget,
ideal for educational purposes.
Eco-Friendly: Encourages renewable energy use and sustainable solutions.
Applications
Solar power systems for small-scale residential setups.
Portable renewable energy solutions for remote locations.
Backup power supplies for low-power devices.
9. Conclusion
This micro inverter project offers an excellent learning opportunity in power electronics, inverter
design, and renewable energy systems. It is ideal for small-scale solar power solutions and can
be built on a budget, making it accessible for students or hobbyists interested in sustainable
energy technologies. The project can be further improved with additional features such as MPPT
for optimized solar panel performance and voltage feedback mechanisms for better regulation of