Proposing a Triple Input and Multi-Level DC-DC Converter for Using in Renewable Energy Applications

This paper proposes a triple input DC-DC converter based on Z-source DC-DC converter for using in PV systems. The converter can be extended to multi-level converter with triple inputs. In comparison to the conventional Z-source converter, the proposed converter with single input converts voltage with higher voltage gain and lower voltage stresses on the switch and diodes that means improvement in efficiency. The converter can be used with different number of inputs as single, dual or triple. It is analyzed for the different source modes and compared to the conventional Z-source converter. A prototype for the proposed converter is prepared based on analysis and theoretical parts. Experiments are done along the lines of analysis for different modes and conditions. The experimental results prove the converter high efficiency operation in different conditions which considers it as an excellent choice for connecting PV systems to DC-links.