High Step-Up Interleaved DC/DC Converter Using VM Cell for PV Applications

This work proposes a high step-up interleaved dc/dc topology utilizing a VM (voltage multiplier) cell suitable for PV applications. The VM cells D/C (Diode/Cap.) are cascaded among the phases to approach a high voltage gain. Besides, the voltage converting ratio of the presented structure can be improved by extending the VM cells and it also leads to drop in the normalized voltage stress throughout the switches and some diodes. Therefore, by utilizing a semiconductor (Switch/Diode) with a lower rating leads to a decline in system losses. Also, the efficiency of the suggested topology will be considerable and the overall cost can be decreased. To elaborate on the main benefits of the proposed topology, a comparison has been made across other literature regarding the efficiency, peak voltage throughout the semiconductors and voltage ratio of the converter. To prove the accuracy principle of operation of the suggested converter, two prototypes (for n=1, 2 stages) were built and tested at 350 W and 453 W with an operating frequency of about 40 kHz performed.