A High Step-Up Converter With a Voltage Multiplier Module for a Photovoltaic System

TLDR: In this article, an asymmetrical interleaved high step-up converter was proposed for a front-end photovoltaic system, which is composed of a conventional boost converter and coupled inductors.

Abstract: A novel high step-up converter is proposed for a front-end photovoltaic system. Through a voltage multiplier module, an asymmetrical interleaved high step-up converter obtains high step-up gain without operating at an extreme duty ratio. The voltage multiplier module is composed of a conventional boost converter and coupled inductors. An extra conventional boost converter is integrated into the first phase to achieve a considerably higher voltage conversion ratio. The two-phase configuration not only reduces the current stress through each power switch, but also constrains the input current ripple, which decreases the conduction losses of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). In addition, the proposed converter functions as an active clamp circuit, which alleviates large voltage spikes across the power switches. Thus, the low-voltage-rated MOSFETs can be adopted for reductions of conduction losses and cost. Efficiency improves because the energy stored in leakage inductances is recycled to the output terminal. Finally, the prototype circuit with a 40-V input voltage, 380-V output, and 1000- W output power is operated to verify its performance. The highest efficiency is 96.8%.