PV field distributed maximum power point tracking by means of an active bypass converter

An active bypass structure that was initially proposed as a solution to minimize the reduction in produced power caused by mismatch of photovoltaic modules is compared in terms of efficiency with single and distributed maximum power point solutions based in more conventional dc-dc structures. The analysis and simulations performed under simplified losses assumptions demonstrate that the bypass structure is very competitive with respect to boost, buck or buck-boost based solutions in terms of efficiency.