This paper presents a novel simplified pulse width modulation (PWM) strategy for a bidirectional single-phase AC/DC converter used in microgrid systems. The proposed strategy reduces the number of switchings to one-fourth that of conventional PWM strategies, lowering switching losses. A feedforward control scheme is also developed based on the simplified PWM to improve performance in rectifier and inverter modes compared to dual-loop control. Both simulation and experimental results validate the proposed PWM strategy and control scheme, showing lower total harmonic distortion than bipolar PWM and higher efficiency than unipolar and bipolar PWMs.