Efficiency analysis of interleaved DCM and CCM converters used in photovoltaic systems

The utilization ratio of photovoltaic systems is closely tied, on one side, to the way in which energy is obtained from photovoltaic devices and on the other, to the converters efficiency. In this sense, direct current converters (dc-dc) are used in order to adapt solar panels energy to fullfil the inverters power requirements, while maintaining the panels in its optimal operating point (maximum power point, MPP). In practice, power converter ripple reduces the photovoltaic module utilization ratio, as it operates in the MPP in average, and out of it during most of the time. For this reason, a reduction in ripple amplitude is seek, but the strategies to do so may increase components losses. Then, a trade-off between the panel utilization ratio and the converter efficiency exists. In this article, an analysis of different topologies and operating modes is presented, with the aim of determining design criteria for converters used in photovoltaic systems in order to improve the systems efficiency.