Abstract

The increasing global emphasis on clean, renewable, and environmentally sustainable energy
sources has significantly accelerated the development and deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV)
technology across both developed and developing regions. As nations strive to reduce carbon
emissions and shift away from fossil fuels, solar PV has emerged as one of the most promising
and scalable energy generation methods. However, a major technical challenge associated with
solar PV systems lies in the raw direct current (DC) output generated by the solar panels. This
output is inherently variable due to fluctuations in solar irradiance, temperature, and shading
conditions. As a result, the unregulated DC voltage produced is often unstable and insufficient to
directly power most modern electrical and electronic loads, which typically require a stable and
controlled voltage level for proper functioning.

To bridge this gap, power electronic converters are employed as essential interfacing devices that
condition, regulate, and optimize the harvested solar energy. Among various types of DC-DC
converters, the boost converter, also referred to as a step-up converter, plays a pivotal role in
enhancing the output voltage of the PV module to a higher, more usable level. It not only steps
up the voltage but also contributes to better energy efficiency, making the overall system more
robust, reliable, and adaptive to changing environmental conditions. This capability makes boost
converters particularly suitable for integration with grid-tied systems, off-grid standalone
installations, energy storage systems such as batteries, and even electric vehicle charging setups.

Furthermore, the report delves into the implementation of Maximum Power Point Tracking
(MPPT) algorithms, which are vital for extracting the maximum possible power from the PV
panel under varying sunlight conditions. Different MPPT techniques such as Perturb and
Observe (P&O), Incremental Conductance (INC), and constant voltage method are evaluated in
terms of their effectiveness, complexity, and real-time applicability. In addition, control
strategies for duty cycle modulation, voltage regulation, and feedback mechanisms are explored
to highlight the dynamic performance and stability of the converter system.
1. Introduction

Over the last twenty years, the issue of energy supply has been widely discussed due to the
shortage in oil and gas, increasing fuel prices, and rapid increase in energy demand due to
continued growth in global population and industrialization. Solar power technology is a
renewable source of energy and has several advantages such as; no fuel cost, a little maintenance
requirement, and friendly on the environment. Standalone photovoltaic systems are very popular
in water pumping and lighting solutions in developed countries, isolated villages, and small
urban and rural communities. The PV systems also became a choice method of profits for
generating electricity, especially in developed regions that have a substantial amount of solar
irradiation.
For photovoltaic applications, boost converter performs better than buck and buck-boost
converters. And the requirements of PV systems should operate with high efficiency level, small
size, with low cost. Therefore, this paper studies boost converters for stand-alone photovoltaic
systems, with the goal of bringing best performance over a wide range of operation conditions.
The amount of power generated from solar panel, significantly depends on temperature and
irradiation where irradiation levels have a dramatic effect on the maximum power of the solar
panel. With varied weather conditions, the PV system should continuously operate, with great
efficiency level near/at the maximum power point (MPP) of the solar panel. Several Maximum
Power Point Tracking (MPPT) methods have been studied, and improved with consideration to
their techniques of optimization . Though, the maximum power point tracking cannot solve
power converter efficiency when it falls in various terms of power generations. Thus, with an
objective to have maximum power to varied load, the efficiency level of power converter must
also be upgraded.
The paper provides an overview of the most common dc-dc boost converters. From this, it is
found that the conventional boost converter and the interleaved boost converter have advantages
and disadvantages in a long term of operation under varied PV power due to change of weather
condition. Therefore, anointer leaved boost converter with novel switch adaptive control are
proposed to combine advantages of conventional boost converter and interleaved boost
converter, to operate efficiently under varied solar power levels. Mainly, the topology design
with its controller is affordable and simple. For this reason, this paper presents a simulation study
comparing the relative efficiency performance of the low-cost selected converters with respect to
the standalone PV system under a wide range of irradiation conditions.

The depletion of conventional fossil fuel resources and rising environmental concerns have
accelerated the shift towards renewable energy. Among the different sources of renewable
energy, solar energy is the most abundant and accessible. Photovoltaic (PV) panels convert solar
radiation into electrical energy in the form of DC voltage. Despite the promising potential of PV
systems, their direct application is often limited by their variable voltage output due to changes
in irradiance, temperature, and shading conditions.

To bridge the gap between the raw output of solar panels and the practical requirements of
electronic loads or grid interfaces, DC-DC converters are used. The boost converter is
particularly effective for PV systems as it can step up the voltage to required levels while
maintaining efficiency and reliability. The fundamental operation of a boost converter is based
on energy storage in an inductor and controlled release through a diode and capacitor network.

This report emphasizes the technical design, modeling, and simulation of a boost converter to
optimize energy output from a PV system. Special focus is given to component ratings, duty
cycle calculations, ripple analysis, and MPPT integration. The goal is to develop an efficient,
scalable, and cost-effective converter for modern solar PV systems.
2. Boost Converters

The survey is to study technical viability of dc-dc boost converter which is able to generate a low
dc voltage level to a high dc voltage level that required by a load. The used converter is usually
evaluated according to economic point, power distortion through the PV system, and the
efficiency conversion under wide range of PV power as follow review.
2.1. Conventional Boost Converter
The conventional boost converter which could be used in many power electronic applications,
for example in regulated DC power supplies, and in photovoltaic systems. The value to stepping
up a low DC input voltage to higher DC output voltage of desired load. The converter has two
mode of current operations, discontinuous current mode (DCM) and continuous current mode
(CCM). In power applications, the conventional boost converter is able to operate in any mode of
current operation under changed power levels, and with each mode has variance characteristics.
The principle operation of the DC-DC conventional boost converter shown . When the switch is
on, the diode becomes reverse biased, thus, isolating the load stage. The input source stores
energy in the inductor. Once the power switch is off, the load stage gets energy from the inductor
as well as from the source, therefore the load voltage is greater than the source voltage.
Conventional boost converter has a simple circuit and low cost. The disadvantages of
conventional boost converter are high ripple current on active and passive components, large
voltage stress for power switches, and require a large capacitor value to keep the output voltage
steady . This difficulty can be solved by using interleaved boost converter which is another
power boost converter circuit .

2.2. Interleaved Boost Converter

The circuit design of interleaved boost converter as shown , is used to improve the power
processing capability and to operate the solar systems with its maximum power .
Interleaved step-up converter topology works with binary branches operating 180 degree out of
phase from each other. Generally, each phase operates in the same fashion as the conventional
boost converter previously described. When switch two turns on, the current ramps up in
inductor two, with a slope depending on the source voltage that stores energy in inductor two, the
diode two is off during this time since the output voltage is higher than the input voltage. When
switch two turns off, diode two connect and deliver energy to the output capacitor and the load,
and current of inductor two ramps down with a slope dependent on the difference between the
source and load voltage. One half of a switching period later, switch one also will turn on to
complete the same cycle of events.
The advantage of the interleaved boost converter gives low ripple power at the output and input
stages due to an effective increase in switching frequency, hence the interleaved has chance to
minimize output and input capacitor filters which will be relatively large if conventional boost
converter is used. Additionally, greater efficiency level achieved by forcing the input current to
move and shared in the two limbs, substantially decreasing (I2R) power losses. Moreover, the
converter gives low stresses on the passive and active components due to current split which rise
power process capability. On the other side, using the interleaved boost converter, rises the
number of to pologyelements which may lead to more cost. Though, the use of additional
components in interleaved converter can be with lower rated power due to the shared current in
its two limbs, and in photovoltaic power systems, long term improve the power generation
proficiencies and could help to offset this disadvantage.

2.3. New Interleaved Isolated Boost Converter

This converter is presented by Jun Wen, it is developed from the basic structure of isolated boost
converter, and it is main feature is suitable to power applications that require to step-up high
voltage. It is modified by two cells helping each other in secondary side and in primary side,
which is simpler than parallel connection to the output side of two basic dual isolated boost
converters. In practical to convert DC voltage from a lower level to a higher level, require
isolated boost converter to give high current at the source and high voltage at the load. If two
cells are connected in parallel in isolated boost converter at the input stage and in series at the
output stage, this structure will reduce the current stress and voltage stress on active devices and
the transformer rate of the converter could be reduced to the half.
New interleaved isolated boost converter publicized, with double inductors connected in parallel
at the input stage to share the input current equally, and at the output two capacitors in series
sharing the voltage equally. thus, the new interleaved isolated boost converter offers less stress of
voltage and current at power switches and transformer. Altogether these advantages make the
new interleaved isolated boost converter suitable for low to high converter applications.
2.4. Interleaved Boost Converter Based on the L-Type Half
Bridge
The converter is shown, discussed by J. Wen, Taotao Jin, and Keyue Smedley. The Interleaved
boost converter based on the L-type half bridge converter is one of the ideal option to use for
high power applications because it has several advantages such as low current stress on
transformer and inductors
hence small size can be designed, and switches are simple to drive since they are grounded.
Moreover, circuit configuration is symmetrical so soft switching is easy to be implemented. On
other side, the converter has more inductors than other boost converters.
# Working Principle of Boost Converter
A boost converter increases the input voltage from a lower level to a higher level while
decreasing the current. The energy conversion takes place in two key phases:

1. On-State (Switch Closed): During this phase, the switching element (typically a
MOSFET) is turned on, and current flows through the inductor. The inductor stores
energy in the form of a magnetic field, while the diode is reverse-biased, isolating the
load from the input.

2. Off-State (Switch Open): In this phase, the switch is turned off, causing the magnetic
field in the inductor to collapse and release energy. This energy flows through the
forward-biased diode to the output capacitor and load, thereby boosting the voltage.

2.5 Modes of Operation

 Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM): The inductor current never reaches zero,
resulting in smoother output and higher efficiency. Suitable for medium to high loads.
 Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM): The inductor current falls to zero during
each cycle. This mode is more complex to control and less efficient but can be beneficial
for light-load applications.

2.6 Design Considerations

The performance of a boost converter in PV systems depends on several critical factors: -

Efficiency: Reducing switching losses by selecting fast-recovery diodes and low R_DS(on)
MOSFETs. - Thermal Management: Heat sinks and thermal vias are employed to dissipate
excess heat. - Control Methodology: MPPT algorithms such as Perturb & Observe (P&O),
Incremental Conductance (INC), and Constant Voltage (CV) are often integrated into the control
logic to extract maximum power from the PV panel. - Component Tolerances: Components
should be selected to withstand overvoltage and overcurrent conditions.

2.7 Simulation and Analysis

Simulation helps validate the theoretical design before practical implementation. Tools like
MATLAB/Simulink and PSIM are widely used to simulate PV modules, converter topologies,
and MPPT algorithms. Simulation parameters typically include input voltage (15–25V), load
resistance, switching frequency, and duty cycle.

Simulation results: - Input Voltage: 18V - Output Voltage: 36V - Load: 100 Ohm - Efficiency:
~93%

(Include sample plots of inductor current, switch voltage, and output voltage ripple.)

3. Applications & Case Studies

3.1 Applications

Boost converters have a wide range of applications in solar PV systems:

 Standalone Solar PV Systems: Boost converters are used in standalone solar PV

systems deployed in rural and remote areas to power essential utilities like LED street
lighting, household fans, and agricultural water pumps. They help elevate low panel
output voltages and provide stable operation even during cloudy conditions or early
mornings.
 Grid-Connected Systems: In grid-tied solar installations, the output voltage from PV
panels often fluctuates due to varying sunlight conditions. Boost converters are used to
elevate and stabilize this voltage to match the requirements of inverters, ensuring reliable
and continuous energy feed into the utility grid.
 Battery Charging and Energy Storage: Many PV systems use batteries to store solar
energy for nighttime or emergency use. Boost converters efficiently charge higher-
voltage battery banks from lower-voltage PV outputs, improving energy conversion
 efficiency, optimizing charge control, and extending battery lifespan even under
inconsistent solar generation

 Electric Vehicles (EVs): Boost converters are used in solar-powered EV charging

stations and on-board vehicle chargers. They help convert low-voltage output from PV
panels into higher voltage suitable for charging vehicle batteries, promoting green
transportation and reducing dependency on fossil fuel-powered grid electricity.

 Telecommunication and Remote Monitoring Units: Boost converters supply stable

power to off-grid telecommunication towers and environmental monitoring systems.
They help ensure reliable voltage levels despite solar fluctuations, which is critical for
maintaining uninterrupted connectivity and data transmission in remote or inaccessible
regions.
3.2 Case Studies

 Case Study 1: Solar-Powered Agricultural Water Pumps in Maharashtra In semi-

arid regions of Maharashtra, farmers faced irregular electricity supply. PV-powered
pumps integrated with boost converters allowed the use of small PV arrays while
maintaining stable pump operation.
 Case Study 2: Urban Rooftop Solar Systems in Bengaluru Residential apartments
employed rooftop solar panels connected to MPPT-based boost converters. The
converters ensured consistent output despite variable shading, resulting in 18% higher
annual energy yield.
 Case Study 3: Solar Lanterns for Remote Villages in Northeast India Lightweight
boost converters embedded in solar lanterns enabled a higher brightness LED output with
a single 3.7V Li-ion battery, improving reliability and usability.

4. Conclusion

Boost converters are indispensable in modern solar PV systems. They bridge the gap between
variable PV output and the voltage requirements of practical loads and storage systems. Their
ability to operate efficiently under dynamic conditions makes them ideal for both standalone and
grid-connected applications. When integrated with MPPT algorithms and thermal management
techniques, boost converters can achieve high performance and reliability.

Future research may focus on adaptive control strategies, digital power control, integration with
smart grid systems, and the development of ultra-efficient GaN and SiC-based switches for better
thermal and electrical performance. The continued evolution of boost converters will
undoubtedly enhance the viability and scalability of solar PV technology. The paper presents an
overview of boost converters, and considers their efficiency in photovoltaic applications that
operate under a wide range of changeable weather conditions. From this, it is clear that each
boost converter circuit has its own disadvantages and advantages, and the choice is decidedly
application dependent. When using PV systems in destitute residential locations, the
objective is to have low cost of PV systems that offer high efficiency under all operation
conditions. To do so, it is necessary to combine the advantages of interleaved boost converter
circuit and conventional boost converter circuit. Importantly, the proposed topology with its
control scheme extends the range whereby the circuit operates in continuous conduction mode
with very low irradiance conditions. The simulation results have confirmed that the circuit of
interleaved boost converter with novel switch adaptive control has good features of low ripple of
the current and voltage at the output and input stages, low stress on devices. It promises to
operate in continuous current mode over a wider range of operating conditions, and offers
optimised high efficiency under all weather conditions. In general, the circuit is a good choice
for all PV systems that requires high efficiency operation in unpredictable weather conditions.

5. References

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[3] H. Patel and V. Agarwal, “MATLAB-Based Modeling to Study the Effects of Partial Shading
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[4] D. Sera, R. Teodorescu, and P. Rodriguez, “PV Panel Model for Simulink,” in Proc. IEEE
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[5] B. Singh, K. Bist, and S. Mishra, “Design and Analysis of Solar Power Conditioning Unit for
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[6] G. Walker, “Evaluating MPPT Converter Topologies Using a MATLAB PV Model,” Journal
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[7] Scientific Research An Academic Publisher

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