A current and future study on non-isolated DC`DCconverters for photovoltaic
applications.
ABSTRACT
Photovoltaic (PV) is a fast growing segment among renewable energy (RE) systems, whose
development is owed to depleting fossil fuel and climate-changing environmental pollution.
PV power output capacity, however, is still low and the associated costs still high, so efforts
continue to develop PV converter and its controller, aiming for higher power-extracting
efficiency and cost effectiveness. Different algorithms have been proposed for Maximum
Power Point Tracking (MPPT). Since the choice of right converter for different application
has an important influence in the optimum performance of the photovoltaic system, this paper
reviews the state-of-the-art in research works on non-isolated DC–DC buck, boost, buck–
boost, Cúk and SEPIC converters and their characteristics, to find a solution best suiting an
application with Maximum Power Point Tracking. Review shows that there is a limitation in
the system's performance according to the type of converter used. In can be concluded that
the best selection of DC–DC converter which is really suitable and applicable in the PV
system is the buck–boost DC–DC converter since it is capable of achieving optimal operation
regardless of the load value with negotiable performance efficiency and price issue.
Keyword:
DC`DC converter; Photovoltaic (PV); Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT);
Non-isolated; Topology; Efficiency