A Novel Alternative to Traditional $n$ HSLC: An $n$ -Switched-Cell Based Approach to High-Step-up Converters

It is well known that high step-up converters are eagerly required in solar energy systems to boost up low voltage for connecting grid voltage. Therein, traditional multi-cell hybrid switched-inductor-capacitor (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{T}n$ </tex-math></inline-formula>HSLC) cell based high-step-up converters (HSCs) are one of the popular techniques. Despite its popularity, this type of converters still bears their intrinsic disadvantages, lower voltage gain, high diode current and low efficiency. In this study, we propose a novel <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-Switched-Cell (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$ </tex-math></inline-formula>SC)-based HSC, which utilizes same components as the existing <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{T}n$ </tex-math></inline-formula>HSLC but with a different topological structure. Specifically, a 4SC HSC prototype is built in this study, and extensive simulations and experiments are conducted to validate the theoretical analyses. It is demonstrated that the proposed novel <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$ </tex-math></inline-formula>SC topology requires same amount of electronic components as <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{T}n$ </tex-math></inline-formula>HSLC, but yields a higher voltage gain, lower diode current, and a higher efficiency. The proposed <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$ </tex-math></inline-formula>SC approach therefore will have wide applicability and economic benefits in the industry.