Parallel Power Processing Topology for Solar PV Applications

An efficient converter topology for extracting maximum power from a photovoltaic module is presented in this paper. The proposed topology is implemented on a stand-alone battery charging system. A reversed buck-boost converter enabling parallel power processing (PPP) with a power switch referenced to the common return is the core of the charging system. Small-signal analysis of the proposed charging system is carried out to facilitate the design of a compensator for maximum power point (MPP) tracking. The simulation and experimental results confirm the validity of the model and verify the high efficient operation while tracking the MPP. The use of the PPP with split loads is also presented which would improve the converter size, efficiency, and step-down duty ratio.