New Interlinking PV Converter Modules with Individual MPPT and Integrated Power Balance Units

A new interlinking photovoltaic (PV) step-up converter utilizing integrated power balancing units (PBU) featuring individual maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and high frequency active voltage quadruplers (AVQ) is presented in this paper. An integrated boost circuit with a CLL resonant circuit at the input achieves both MPPT and soft-switching operation for each module while interlinking inductors allows for power flow between modules, allowing the entire converter system to achieve simultaneous MPPT, soft-switching operation, and equal power distribution without the use of additional circuitry. The features of the proposed converter are validated on a 10kW, 10kV-output system simulation and a scaled down 250W, 500V-output hardware prototype.