Design and Hardware Realization of a Boost Converter for PV Applications
Abstract
Off-grid photovoltaic systems are crucial for supplying energy in areas with inadequate energy infrastructure or restricted energy access. Converting the low input voltage to a higher output voltage is required in these systems in order to effectively optimise energy use. However, conventional DC–DC converters' low efficiency, energy losses, and heating issues restrict how effectively solar energy can be used. To get around these restrictions, a high-efficiency DC–DC boost converter is being designed. In this study, the fast switching capability, high voltage durability, and low energy loss characteristics of Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs were utilized to increase efficiency in the energy conversion process. Compared to conventional silicon MOSFETs and IGBTs, SiC MOSFETs reduce energy losses thanks to their high‑frequency operating capability and provide a more stable output. The goal of this project is to increase the efficiency of standalone energy systems by designing and testing a high-performance DC-DC boost converter. Converting low input voltage into high output voltage is necessary for efficient energy use in such systems; however, traditional DC-DC converters have low efficiency, energy losses, and heating problems, which restrict the efficient use of solar energy. Simulation and experimental verification are the two primary stages of the study. A converter model is created in a simulation environment, and its performance is examined in the first phase. The circuit's physical implementation, including soldering, printed circuit board preparation, and schematic design, is finished in the second phase. The performance of the converter is assessed under actual operating circumstances, and the suggested design is validated by comparing the experimental and simulation results.
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