DESIGN OF ASYMMETRICAL BOOST CONVERTERS BASED ON PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS

an asymmetrical interleaved dual boost dc/dc switching converter is proposed to improve photovoltaic systems. such a new step-up power converter provides a low input current ripple injected into the photovoltaic generator, and at the same time provides a low voltage ripple to the load. the developed converter is based on traditional interleaved boost converters interacting with voltage multiplier cells where the circuit symmetry has been broken, obtaining an inherent discontinuous conduction-operating mode that provides a high voltage conversion ratio in comparison to traditional solutions. such low-ripple and high boosting conditions make this converter an ideal candidate for photovoltaic systems design, in particular for grid-connected applications. the converter circuitry is analyzed, and a design procedure is proposed in terms of typical photovoltaic systems requirements, providing simple but useful equations. finally, the converter design is illustrated by means of a realistic design example and validated by using an experimental prototype.