A DC–DC converter topology is proposed. The DC–DC multilevel boost converter (MBC) is a pulse-width modulation (PWM)-based DC–DC converter, which combines the boost converter and the switched capacitor function to provide different output voltages and a self-balanced voltage using only one driven switch, one inductor, 2N−1 diodes and 2N−1 capacitors for an Nx MBC. It is proposed to be used as DC link in applications where several controlled voltage levels are required with self-balancing and unidirectional current flow, such as photovoltaic (PV) or fuel cell generation systems with multilevel inverters; each device blocks only one voltage level, achieving high-voltage converters with low-voltage devices. The major advantages of this topology are: a continuous input current, a large conversion ratio without extreme duty cycle and without transformer, which allow high switching frequency. It can be built in a modular way and more levels can be added without modifying the main circuit. The proposed converter is simulated and prototyped; experimental results prove the proposition's principle.

Renewable energy utilization is the only suitable solution to diminish the increasing level of greenhouse gas emissions, fuel costs, and energy crisis in the next generation. Out of many renewable sources, solar energy sources that are clean, green, and emission-free have gained wide utilization despite their intermittency nature. Several solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are connected in series-parallel to achieve the energy demand. In such a system, it is possible that each panel operates differently due to uneven temperature and irradiation that results in uniform and partial shading conditions. Thus, a unique and efficient mechanism is required to extract maximum power from uniformly and partially shaded PV systems. Numerous maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods have been developed to increase the efficiency and lifetime of photovoltaic systems. This study provides a unique, in-depth, and organized review of MPPT methods under four categories: classical, intelligent, optimization, and hybrid techniques. All possible selection benchmarks are considered to do a comprehensive review, which is not deliberated in the existing review literature. Based on the selection benchmarks, the advantages and disadvantages of each MPPT technique under different categories are summarized in tabulated form. To address the research gaps for further investigation in this field, a concise discussion is included at the end. This review article may find an accessible reference for engineers to understand the most useful MPPT method and to undertake extensive research in PV systems.

This letter proposes a boost dc-dc converter topology with the novel capability of canceling the input current ripple at an arbitrarily preselected duty cycle. This is accomplished without increasing the count of the number of components in contrast to other solutions available in the literature. In addition, the converter features a high voltage gain without utilizing extreme values of duty cycle or boosting transformers. These features make the converter ideal to process electric power coming from low-voltage power-generating sources, such as renewables. This paper provides details on the principle of operation via topological considerations and a mathematical model. The key factor of reactive component sizing is also discussed in detail. The converter was validated in the laboratory through the construction of a hardware prototype.

This paper proposes a new DC-DC converter. The DC-DC multilevel boost converter, based on one inductor, one switch, 2N-1 diodes and 2N-1 capacitor, for N levels plus the reference (total N+1 levels), is a boost converter able to control and maintain the same voltage in all the Nx output levels, and able to control the input current. This converter is based on the multilevel converters principle, and it is proposed to be used as DC-link in applications where several controlled voltage levels are needed with self balancing and unidirectional current flow, such as photovoltaic (PV) or fuel cell generation systems with multilevel inverters. Used to feed a multilevel inverter, the proposed topology achieves a self voltage balancing; experimental results prove the principle of the proposition.

This study presents a novel topology of a buck–boost converter that features: (i) quadratic voltage gain; (ii) positive output voltage with respect to the input; (iii) continuous input current. Moreover, as the main contribution, (iv) it features a minimum ripple design, for which input current and output voltage ripples are simultaneously cancelled at the desired operating point. It is also shown that even though the duty cycle deviates from a nominal minimum ripple point, the converter exhibits a significantly low switching ripple percentage within a full operation range. The operation mechanism, steady‐state equations and overall analysis are presented. Furthermore, simulations and experiments were performed to validate the theory.