A High Gain SEPIC DC/DC Converter for Renewable Energy Applications

This study explores a single switch high step-up dc/dc converter for renewable energy sources like photovoltaic (PV) and fuel cell (FC) systems. A three-winding transformer is required for a single-ended primary inductor converter (SEPIC) to convert from DC to DC. The accomplishable duty cycle, conduction losses, and need are minimized by the three winding transformer's high voltage gain capability and low voltage stress across the MOSFET multiplier stage under an off switch. By employing fewer windings, voltage gain can be improved. Furthermore, the quasi-resonance operation of the proposed converter guarantees that no current switching of diodes occurs throughout any switching cycle. With these considerations, the proposed converter is designed to maintain low input current. This configuration is beneficial for extending the FC and PV lifetimes. In order to properly assess the advantages of the proposed high-efficiency, high-gain, dc/dc converter, steady-state analysis and comparative evaluation were conducted. A steady-state test was conducted to validate the prototype designed with a power rating of 200 W and voltage conversion range of 20-250 V.