Energy performances and reliability evaluation of an optimized DMPPT boost converter

Photovoltaic systems performances are strongly influenced by many phenomena as installation site irradiance and temperature distributions, mismatches, shadows, etc. Mismatches and shadows drawbacks can be overcome by means of Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (DMPPT) which is based on the adoption of a DC-DC converter dedicated to the MPPT of each PV module. The identification of design criteria for the optimization of the power stage of a DMPPT converter is a challenging task because the expected goal is to figure out a DC-DC converter able to achieve a trade-off between technical and economic aspects. In this paper the guidelines for a high efficiency and reliable DMPPT boost converter design are presented also considering energetic and thermal aspects. European efficiency and Californian Energy Commission weighted efficiency are calculated. Finally an “optimum” solution reliability performances are evaluated.