This paper presents a single-stage boost inverter with coupled inductor for photovoltaic system. By introducing an impedance network to couple the input dc source to the inverter bridge, and adjusting the previously forbidden shoot-through zero state, the converter can realize a high boost gain, output a stable AC voltage, and perform maximum power tracking, which is not possible for the traditional inverter without frond-end dc-dc boost converter. The circuit operation principle, control strategy, and characteristics of the system are analyzed in detail. Simulation and experimental results are shown to verify the theoretical analysis.