Cost analysis of an improved Z-source-based power processing system for photo-voltaic applications

The increasing attention to the man-made cli­mate change has initiated an extensive effort on the possible solutions of controlling its pace. Replacing the carbon-heavy fossil fuels with cleaner energy resources provides an amenable solution in subdue. However, the cost of utilizing the most environment-friendly resources, such as solar power systems has been generally high. In particular, the low-voltage output of solar panels and fuel-cells require high voltage gain dc-dc converters in order to boost the output voltage to the levels that meet the inverters' required voltage. Z-source converters provide a highly efficient solution to reduce the cost of high step-up applications. It also offers numerous advantages, such as high voltage gain, clamped switch voltage, isolation of energy source from the load and positive polarity for output voltage. This paper analyzes the cost reduction advantages of a non-isolated z-source-based dc-dc converter in a photovoltaic application. In particular, we focus on a proposed high step-up converter and analyze its key advantages in a comparison with the previous solutions. Moreover, we discuss with a data-analytic approach on the possible impacts of this solution on the increased utilization of solar power systems in residential applications.