DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF HIGH STEP-UP DC-DC CONVERTER FOR GRID INTEGRATION OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems into the electrical grid presents a significant technical challenge due to the inherently low DC output voltage of solar panels, which is insufficient for grid-level applications. This capstone project presents the design, simulation, and implementation of a high step-up DC-DC converter specifically tailored for enhancing the voltage output of PV systems to make them compatible with grid requirements. The proposed converter architecture employs a modified boost topology incorporating dual inductors, multiple capacitors, and switches, enabling efficient voltage gain and ripple mitigation. MATLAB/Simulink was utilized to model and optimize the converter design under varying solar irradiance and load conditions, achieving simulated efficiencies above 95%. A hardware prototype was developed and tested, demonstrating a voltage increase from 12.34 V to 82.66 V with a peak efficiency of 94.4%. The results validate the converter’s capability to serve as a reliable and efficient interface between solar PV systems and the power grid, offering a scalable solution for renewable energy integration and contributing to sustainable energy development.