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Differential-mode buck-boost inverters have merits such as reduced switch number, ability to provide voltages higher or lower than the input voltage magnitude, improved efficiency, reduced cost and size, and increased power density, especially in low-power applications. There are five buck-boost inverters that can provide flexible output voltage without the need of a large electrolytic input side capacitor, which degrades the reliability of inverters. The continuous input current of these inverters is appropriate for maximum power point tracking operation in photovoltaic and fuel cells applications. Three of the five inverters can be isolated with high-frequency-link transformers where the common-mode leakage current can be mitigated. However, the performance and control of such converters have not been discussed in detail. In this paper, the five possible single-stage three-phase differential-mode buck-boost inverters with continuous input current are investigated and compared in terms of total losses, maximum ripple current, total harmonic distortion, and device and passive element ratings. In addition, the possible methods are presented for eliminating the input third-order harmonic current, resulting from the stored energy in the passive elements, as well as the output second-order harmonic currents. The ability for isolating the input and output sides of the inverters with a small–high frequency transformers is discussed. A changeable-terminal 2.5-kW bidirectional inverter is used to validate the design flexibility of the inverter topologies, when digital signal processor-controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]