Optimal design of switching converters for the integration\ud and optimal exploitation of renewable energy sources\ud (RES) represents a crucial issue often debated in the recent power\ud electronics literature. The design problem required to carry out\ud a multiobjective optimization characterized by simultaneous conflicting\ud objectives, such as efficiency, reliability, and price, where\ud the best compromise solution should be found by the decision\ud maker among Pareto-optimal solutions. In this paper, a novel\ud design method for distributed maximum power point tracking\ud (DMPPT) synchronous boost converter is proposed. The method\ud is based on nondominated sorting genetic algorithm with the aim\ud to obtain the best synchronous rectification (SR) boost topology\ud while considering different targets such as converter efficiency\ud and reliability maximization, as well as converter price minimization.\ud New weighted indices are also proposed for a more realistic\ud characterization of the devices

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Photovoltaic systems performances are strongly influenced by mismatching phenomena. Such a drawback can be overcome by means of Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (DMPPT) which is based on the adoption of a DC-DC converter dedicated to the MPPT of each PV module. A DMPPT converter has to fulfil requirements of low complexity, high efficiency and high reliability. Many DC-DC converter topologies are available for DMPPT applications. The most widely used one is the boost converter. In this paper a comparative analysis between DMPPT Synchronous Rectification boost converter and Diode Rectification boost converter is carried out. Efficiency performance, thermal behaviour and reliability evaluation of the two converters power stages are compared by numerical and experimental data. The analysis demonstrates that the Synchronous Rectification boost converter is better for the PV system efficiency improvement and thermal requirements. The Diode Rectification boost instead is more reliable. A strategy to improve the Synchronous Rectification boost converter reliability is presented

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Distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) is one of the most promising solutions to overcome the drawbacks associated with mismatching phenomena in photovoltaic (PV) applications. DMPPT is based on the adoption of a dc/dc converter dedicated to each PV module. The design of the power stage of such a converter is a challenging task because of the very high efficiency requirements and of the continuous changes of the operating point during the day, depending on the sun irradiation conditions. In this paper the guidelines for the design of dc-dc converters for DMPPT applications are presented and discussed