New multi-stage DC-DC converters for grid-connected photovoltaic systems

Yihua Hu, Wenping Cao*, Bing Ji, Jikai Si, Xiangping Chen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Renewable energy is high on international and national agendas. Currently, grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems are a popular technology to convert solar energy into electricity. Existing PV panels have a relatively low and varying output voltage so that the converter installed between the PVs and the grid should be equipped with high step-up and versatile control capabilities. In addition, the output current of PV systems is rich in harmonics which affect the power quality of the grid. In this paper, a new multi-stage hysteresis control of a step-up DC-DC converter is proposed for integrating PVs into a single-phase power grid. The proposed circuitry and control method is experimentally validated by testing on a 600W prototype converter. The developed technology has significant economic implications and could be applied to many distributed generation (DG) systems, especially for the developing countries which have a large number of small PVs connected to their single-phase distribution network. 

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)247-254
Number of pages8
JournalRenewable Energy
Volume74
Early online date24 Aug 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2015

Keywords

  • Converters
  • DC-DC power conversion
  • Harmonic distortion
  • Hysteresis
  • Multilevel systems
  • Photovoltaic power systems

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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