AFZ converter: a new DC-DC topology applied to photovoltaic panels

Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (DMPPT) architectures are one of the most promising solutions to overcome the drawbacks associated to mismatching phenomena in photovoltaic (PV) applications. In this kind of architectures, a DC-DC module integrated converter manages each PV panel to harvest the maximum available power from the Sun. High efficiency, low cost and the capability of both voltage step-up and step-down are the most desired characteristics for the converters to be applied in this field. A new DC-DC converter is proposed in this paper, the Autotransformer Forward converter with type-Zeta resonant demagnetization (AFZ), as a good candidate to be applied in DMPPT architectures. The AFZ converter principle operation as well as its static characteristics are introduced. A 225W prototype has been built, according to the specifications obtained from a 100kW grid-connected PV system, to validate the proper operating of the AFZ converter, achieving efficiencies up to 94.82%.