A high voltage gain DC/DC converter for energy harvesting in single module photovoltaic applications

As PV modules show low voltage outputs, in grid connected applications a converter with high voltage gain is needed. Standard PV conversion systems, addressing PV field composed by a large number of panels, show efficiency values up to 95-96%. Such a high efficiency is hard to reach in small power DC/DC converters with high input to output voltage ratio as those used in AC Modules. In this paper, an experimental investigation of high voltage gain DC/DC converters for renewable resource applications is presented mainly addressing the efficiency performance. A modified interleaved boost converter is proposed and compared with state-of-the-art solutions by simulation. Finally, a laboratory prototype of the proposed solution is developed and tested showing 95% CEC efficiency.