Leakage current reduction topology for transformerless solar
This technology addresses a well-known problem in solar inverters and similar power conversion equipment: unwanted electrical leakage currents that can quietly damage photovoltaic panels over time. The invention uses a combination of a specially designed magnetic component (a coupled choke) and a smart software-level adjustment to the inverter's switching pattern to suppress these leakage currents across both high and low frequencies. The magnetic component physically blocks high-frequency interference, while the feedback control loop actively cancels low-frequency noise by slightly reshaping the switching signals — no bulky external filter hardware required. The result is a more efficient, smaller, and panel-friendly inverter design that meets safety and performance standards.
What you could build
A licensed circuit topology and control method for residential and commercial solar inverter manufacturers, enabling smaller, cheaper, panel-safe inverters without transformer isolation; target buyers are inverter OEMs such as SolarEdge, Enphase, SMA, or their component suppliers.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based energy tech firms, defense contractors with solar microgrid programs, or data center backup power developers would find leakage-current reduction relevant to both grid-tie and off-grid inverter procurement.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Dong Dong, Fang Luo, Dushan Boroyevich, Paolo Mattavelli
- Granted
- June 2, 2015
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 9048756
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.