Conventional and Switched Capacitor Boost Converters for Solar PV Integration: Dynamic MPPT Enhancement and Performance Evaluation

Abstract

This paper designs two DC-DC converter configurations integrated with solar PV renewable energy resource. Its focuses on comparing two converter topologies: the conventional boost converter and the switched capacitor boost converter. The Perturb and Observe (P&O), Incremental Conductance (INC), Genetic Algorithm (GA), and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithms are employed to dynamically enhance the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) performance for both converters. The simulation results demonstrate that both converter topologies, when integrated with appropriate MPPT algorithms, can effectively harvest maximum power from the solar PV. However, the switched capacitor topology converter exhibits advantages in terms of current capabilities and voltage performance. In addition, combing the switched capacitor boost converter with the GA-MPPT algorithm improved the output voltage profile. The switched capacitor topology demonstrates distinct advantages by exhibiting enhanced current control, enabling improved handling of dynamic load changes and varying irradiance conditions. It shows voltage regulation, resulting in reduced output voltage fluctuations and enhanced stability, thereby optimizing energy extraction. The GA-MPPT simulation demonstrates a substantial increase in maximized output current for the switched capacitor boost configuration (70 A) when compared to the conventional type (10 A). The validation and implementation of the system models are carried out using MATLAB/Simulink.