Design of a DC-DC converter with high voltage gain for photovoltaic-based microgeneration

Highly distributed, low-power photovoltaic-based energy systems require high-efficient and compact DC-DC converters. In the microgeneration field, the connection of a single panel to a high-voltage DC-bus, required for direct connection to the grid can be made using an isolated converter. However, non-isolated solutions have some advantages but require a high voltage gain, which only a small set of converters can provide. This paper presents the design and implementation of a three-state switching converter derived from the two-phase interleaved boost converter and a non-isolated transformer in order to achieve the required voltage gain. This power converter can easily integrate low-power photovoltaic applications due to its high voltage conversion ratio, high efficiency and small weight and volume. The main design parameters are discussed and the presented simulation and experimental results show the validity of the approach.