This　paper　proposes　a　discrete　space　vector　modulation　and　optimized　switching　sequence　model　predictive　controller　for　three-level　neutral-point-clamped　inverters　in　grid-connected　applications.　The　proposed　strategy　is　based　on　cascaded　model　predictive　control　(MPC)　for　controlling　the　grid　current　while　maintaining　the　capacitor　voltage　balanced　without　weighting　factor.　To　enhance　the　closed-loop　performance,　the　external　MPC　evaluates　19　basic　and　138　virtual　vectors　(VV)　of　the　proposed　space　vector　method.　The　optimal　control　voltage　is　then　selected　using　an　extended　deadbeat　method　to　reduce　the　execution　time　of　the　proposed　control　algorithm.　By　using　the　discrete　space　vector　modulation　principle,　the　VV　are　synthesized　based　on　switching　sequence　(SS)　and　are　divided　into　negative　and　positive　SSs　considering　their　impact　on　the　neutral　point　(NP)　potential.　The　inner　MPC　evaluates　both　types　of　SSs　and　selects　the　one　that　keeps　the　capacitor　voltage　balanced.　Various　controllers　are　evaluated　and　compared　against　the　proposed　control　strategy.　The　results　show　that　the　proposed　strategy　improves　performance　without　weighting　factor,　while　maintaining　a　total　harmonic　distortion　of　current　to　be　less　than　2%.　Compared　to　the　modulated　MPC　which　provides　the　same　fixed　switching　frequency,　the　proposed　controller　reduces　the　computational　burden　by　over　50%　while　also　providing　better　NP　voltage　balance　accuracy.