International Journal of Power Electronics and Drive Systems (IJPEDS) Vol. 12, No. 3, September 2021, pp. 1764~1771 ISSN: 2088-8694, DOI: 10.11591/ijpeds.v12.i3.pp1764-1771  1764 Journal homepage: http://ijpeds.iaescore.com Short and open circuit faults study in the PV system inverter Mohammed Bouzidi 1 , Abdelkader Harrouz 2 , Tadj Mohammed 3 , Smail Mansouri 4 1,2 Sustainable Development and Computer Science Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Ahmed Draia, Adrar, Algeria 3 Analysis and control of electro-energy and renewable energy systems, University Center of Tamanrasset, Algeria 4 Energy, Environment and Information Systems Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Ahmed Draia, Adrar, Algeria Article Info ABSTRACT Article history: Received Feb 18, 2021 Revised Apr 6, 2021 Accepted Jul 13, 2021 The inverter is the principal part of the photovoltaic (PV) systems that assures the direct current/alternating current (DC/AC) conversion (PV array is connected directly to an inverter that converts the DC energy produced by the PV array into AC energy that is directly connected to the electric utility). In this paper, we present a simple method for detecting faults that occurred during the operation of the inverter. These types of faults or faults affect the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the photovoltaic system, especially the inverter, which is the main component responsible for the conversion. Hence, we have shown first the faults obtained in the case of the short circuit. Second, the open circuit failure is studied. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method. Good monitoring and detection of faults in the inverter can increase the system's reliability and decrease the undesirable faults that appeared in the PV system. The system behavior is tested under variable parameters and conditions using MATLAB/Simulink. Keywords: DC/DC converter Inverter failure Open circuit PV system Short circuit This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license. Corresponding Author: Bouzidi Mohammed Sustainable Development and Computer Science Laboratory Faculty of Sciences and Technology Department of Electrical Engineering Ahmed Draia, University of Adrar, Aoulef PB 38 Adrar-Algeria Email: bouzidi@univ-adrar.edu.dz, mohbouzidi81@yahoo.fr 1. INTRODUCTION Photovoltaic systems have become an environmentally friendly solution to generate electricity in our modern life. They only depend on solar radiation energy, which is a source of energy inspired by nature and considered a source of sustainable energy. Several types of research in the field of solar energy have been elaborated in the last two decades by studying the increasing the efficiency of the PV systems while ensuring the minimum cost of installation [1], [2]. The efficiency is dependent on the components of the PV systems, namely on the efficiency of panels, batteries, and inverters. Also, better monitoring leads to an adequate PV system. However, faults can decrease and even block the well-functioning of the PV system [3]-[7]. A shaded or broken panel, batteries fail and inverter dysfunctions cause losses in the produced energy as well as the economic effect of the PV system. The inverters represent the intermediary device between DC and AC sides. They are used to supply the AC loads. It's based on the commutation between its switchers situated in its arms. This commutation delivers the sinusoidal shape of the output current that feds the AC loads [6], [8], [9]. The switches are the principal element in the conversion operation and any failure in their work breaks the inverter outputs. Hence, faults in the inverter are known as a big problem that causes damages to the functionality of the