http://www.jsetms.com/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Journal of Science Engineering Technology and Management Science
Volume 02, Issue 05, May 2025 ISSN: 3049-0952
www.jsetms.com DOI:10.63590/jsetms.2025.v02.i05.pp26-31
Published by: Surya Publishers www.jsetms.com
26 | Page
High Step-Up DC-DC Converter Soft Computing Module for PV
Module
Robert Stewart1 and Samuel Jack2
Department of Electronic Engineering, Middlesex University, London
1Corresponding Author: stewratjack@gmail.com
To Cite this Article
Robert Stewart and Samuel Jack, “High Step-Up DC-DC Converter Soft Computing Module for PV Module”, Journal
of Science Engineering Technology and Management Science, Vol. 02, Issue 05, May 2025, pp:26-31,
DOI: http://doi.org/10.63590/jsetms.2025.v02.i05.pp26-31
Submitted: 15-02-2025 Accepted: 01-05-2025 Published: 03-05-2025
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Abstract: The PV module demonstrates a significant market expansion as a photovoltaic (PV) power generation
technology. The requirement of a high voltage gain converter exists for connecting PV modules to the power grid
through a dc–ac inverter. A converter with floating active switches should be studied because it will protect PV panel
users and installers by blocking power during ac module shut offs. The converter obtains high voltage gain through
effective operation without requiring excess duty ratios or many turns-ratios like linked inductors; it reuses the
coupled inductor leakage energy for improved efficiency. These features contribute to the module achieving
remarkable efficiency performance. The paper presents analytical results for steady state operation of continuous and
discontinuous and boundary conduction modes as well as a detailed description of working principles. The developed
prototype circuit of the suggested converter functions with 15V input voltage, 200V output voltage, and 100W output
power. The element achieves 95% efficiency under full load while reaching its highest efficiency of 95.3%.
Keywords: Soft computing, Simulink, PV module, electrical risks, and DC-DC converter
This is an open access article under the creative commons license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I. Introduction
In distribution generation systems, photovoltaic (PV) power-producing technologies are growing in
significance and prevalence. A traditional centralized PV array uses a dc–ac inverter to increase the dc-link voltage
for the main electricity by connecting many panels in series. When only a small number of modules are partially
shaded, the intrinsic current production is reduced and the array's generation current is prevented from reaching its
maximum value, which can occasionally result in a notable reduction in the overall power produced by the PV array.
A module-based approach using ac constitutes an expected remedy to this difficulty. A low-power dc–ac
utility interactive inverter functions individually on each PV module to boost maximum power output by each module
independently. The maximum power point (MPP) voltage range extends from 15 to 40 volts while acting as input
voltage for the ac module. Lower input voltages make it difficult for the ac module to reach maximum efficiency. The
electricity output capability of an individual PV panel typically stays between 100 watts and 300 watts. The power-
conversion efficiency increases when a high step-up dc–dc converter operates before the inverter. The micro inverter
contains a dc–dc boost converter according to Figure 1.
The dc–dc converter requires substantial conversion steps to elevate the panel voltage to match the
application requirements. To supply the dc bus with suitable voltage levels the 48 V DC needs conversion through the
dc-input converter system to 380–400 V ranges. These high step-up dc–dc converters used for these applications
demonstrate four key characteristics: they provide large voltage increases and these characteristics include high gain
in step-up voltage. High step-up gain reaches approximately ten times to achieve this application purpose. Isolation is
not necessary. Figure 1 shows that solar energy reaches the output terminal through PV panel and mini-inverter when
switches are turned off. The possible variation may involve operational dangers to the facilities and workers during
the ac module installation procedure. At both stages where operation is off or throughout off-grid situations a floating
active switch serves to eliminate the DC current from reaching the PV panel. This isolation ensures protected
operations of internal components since it blocks hazardous domestic energy from reaching input or output terminals.
High Step-Up DC-DC Converter Soft Computing Module for PV Module
27 | Page
Fig 1: Block diagram of the system
II. DC-DC Converters
Figure 1 shows that solar energy reaches the output terminal through PV panel and mini-inverter when
switches are turned off. The possible variation may involve operational dangers to the facilities and workers during
the ac module installation procedure. At both stages where operation is off or throughout off-grid situations a floating
active switch serves to eliminate the DC current from reaching the PV panel. This isolation ensures protected
operations of internal components since it blocks hazardous domestic energy from reaching input or output terminals.
Fig 2: Applications of the dc-dc converter a) HID lamp ballast b) dual-input front –end converters
III. Converter to Reach High Performance
The proposed converter contains linked inductor T1 as well as floating active switch S1 based on Figure 3.
The primary winding N1 of linked inductor T1 functions identically to boost converter standard input inductors to
deliver leakage inductor energy to capacitor C1 and diode D1. The boost voltage becomes higher when the secondary
winding N2 from linked inductor T1 connects to the pair of capacitors C2 together with diode D2 which link to N1. C3
functions as the output capacitor that joins with the rectifier diode D3. The converter implements three critical features
including enhanced voltage conversion ratio from linking two pairs of components and efficient recycling of leakage
inductor energy as well as 3) an isolated active switch function. The process of obtaining maximum power from PV
panels becomes straightforward when people understand panel attributes prior to connection.
High Step-Up DC-DC Converter Soft Computing Module for PV Module
28 | Page
Fig 3: Proposed converter
Fig 4: PV Panel model and characteristics
IV. Simulation Results
The figure 5 shows separate output results along with the simulation schematic and simulation results for
both the inverter and boost converter. The document shows the parameter values in the following sections.
Fig 5: Simulation of Boost Converter using Matlab/Simulink
High Step-Up DC-DC Converter Soft Computing Module for PV Module
29 | Page
Fig 6: Output Voltage waveform of Boost Converter
MATLAB Simulink software represents a single phase full bridge inverter through Figure 7. A positive
voltage of Vs exists between the nodes while S1 and S2 remain active while the load presents a negative -Vs from S3
and S4 being active. The frequency of the output voltage changes when periodic time T is adjusted. Four IGBTs exist
in the circuit and form part of the RL load connection.
Fig 7: Simulation of Single-Phase Full Bridge Inverter using MATLAB/Simulink
An inverter performs the basic operation of changing direct current power into alternating current power with
specified output voltage and frequency. The market provides two main categories of inverters. There exist two types
of inverters which either use voltage sources or current sources. The circuit adopts voltage source inverters for its
operation. Voltage source inverters earn this name when combined with dc source impedance that is practically zero.
The input terminals of voltage source inverters operate with a steady rigid dc voltage source. The output voltage
waveforms and output current waveforms appear in Figures 8 and 9.
High Step-Up DC-DC Converter Soft Computing Module for PV Module
30 | Page
Fig 8: Pulse voltage and Output Current waveform for Single Phase Full Bridge Inverter
Fig 9: Output Voltage waveform for Single Phase Full Bridge Inverter
Fig 10: Maximum Efficiency of Proposed Converter
High Step-Up DC-DC Converter Soft Computing Module for PV Module
31 | Page
References
[1] T. Shimizu, K. Wada, and N. Nakamura, “Flyback-type single-phase utility interactive inverter with power pulsation decoupling on the dc
input for an ac photovoltaic module system”, IEEE Tranactions on. Power Electronics. vol. 21, no. 5, pp. 1264–1272, January 2006.
[2] C. Rodriguez and G. A. J. Amaratunga, “Long-lifetime power inverter for photovoltaic ac modules”, IEEE Trans. Industrial Electronics. vol.
55, no. 7, pp. 2593–2601, July 2008.
[3] S. B. Kjaer, J. K. Pedersen, and F. Blaabjerg, “A review of single-phase grid-connected inverters for photovoltaic modules”, IEEE Trans.
Industrial. Applications. vol. 41, no. 5, pp. 1292–1306, September 2005.
[4] J. J. Bzura, “The ac module: An overview and update on self-contained modular PV systems,” in Proceedings of IEEE Power Engineering
Society Generation. Meeting, pp. 1–3, July 2010.
[5] B. Jablonska, A. L. Kooijman-van Dijk, H. F. Kaan, M. van Leeuwen, G.T. M. de Boer, and H. H. C. de Moor, “PV-PRIV´E project at ECN,
five years of experience with small-scale ac module PV systems”, in Proceedings of 20th Euuropean. Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference.
Barcelona, Spain, pp. 2728–2731, June. 2005.
[6] T. Umeno, K. Takahashi, F. Ueno, T. Inoue, and I. Oota, “A new approach to low ripple-noise switching converters on the basis of switched-
capacitor converters”, in Proc. IEEE International Symposium Circuits Systems., pp. 1077–1080, July 1991.
[7] B. Axelrod, Y. Berkovich, and A. Ioinovici, “Switched-capacitor/ switched-inductor structures for getting transformerless hybrid dc–dc PWM
converters”, IEEE Transactions on Circuits Systems, vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 687– 696, March 2008.