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In this paper, the performance of a new Z-source inverter (ZSI)-based single-stage power conditioning system (PCS) is analyzed for a standalone photovoltaic (PV) power generation system. The proposed ZSI-based PCS includes two main parts: one is the input from PV units and the other is the ZSI. In this work, a new topology, termed the switched inductor-assisted strong boost ZSI (SL-SBZSI), is introduced for improving the performance of the PCS. The proposed topology shows high boosting capability during the voltage sag in PV units due to variations in solar irradiation and temperature. Another key advantage is the reduced capacitor voltage stress and semiconductor switch voltage stress of the inverter bridge, which ultimately minimizes the size and cost of the single-stage PCS. The proposed ZSI topology falls under the doubly grounded category of inverter by sharing the common ground between the input and output. This is an additional feature that can minimize the leakage current of PV units at the ac output end. The operational principles, detailed mathematical modeling, and characteristics of the proposed SL-SBZSI for a standalone photovoltaic (PV) power generation system is presented in this paper for analyzing performance. The simulation results, which are performed in MATLAB/Simulink, demonstrate the improved performance of the proposed SL-SBZSI for the standalone PV system. The performance of the proposed topology is also evaluated through an experimental validation on a laboratory-based PV system. the world was around 90 GW in 2012 and the target amount is estimated as approximately 350 GW by the end of 2020. Evidently, PV energy is one of the most promising sources for mitigating future load demands.Generally, PV energy is received from sun, and its extraction involves a large installation cost. The basic cost of this system relies on the photovoltaic panels and the interfacing power electronic converter that couples the source with the load. This part is commonly known as the power conditioning system (PCS). Figure 1 represents the traditional boost converter-based dual-stage and the Z-source inverter (ZSI)-based single-stage PCS. The main function of the PCS is to convert the output DC voltage of the PV unit into 50/60 Hz AC voltage suitable for households and grid applications. Traditionally, a voltage source inverter (VSI) with a DC-DC boost converter comprising the dual-stage PCS is used to convert the DC output power into AC power [7]. This additional DC-DC boost converter increases the size and cost of the PV power generation system. A ZSI for PV systems as presented in [8] obsoletes the additional boost converter with its distinct impedance network. Due to its shoot-through characteristics, the ZSI-based PCS can boost the input voltage of the PV system during voltage fluctuations due to changes in solar irradiation and environmental temperature. Although the ZSI turns the dual-stage traditional system into a single-stage system, it inherits some certain drawbacks regarding its performance, such as...

Fossil fuel-based energy sources are the major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and thus the use of renewable energy (RE) is becoming the best alternative to cater for the increasing energy demand in both developing and developed nations. Chipendeke is a rural community in Zimbabwe, in which electricity demand is partially served by the only micro-hydro plant and hence, load shedding is a regular practice to keep essential services running. This study explored suitable opportunity to identify a feasible system with different energy sources that can fullfil the current and projected future load demand of the community. A techno-economic feasibility study for a hybrid RE based power system (REPS) is examined considering various energy sources and cost functions. Six different system configurations have been designed with different sizing combinations to identify the most optimum solution for the locality considering techno-economic and environmental viability. The performance metrics considered to evaluate the best suitable model are; Net Present Cost (NPC), Cost of Energy (COE), Renewable Fraction (RF), excess energy and seasonal load variations. In-depth, sensitivity analyses have been performed to investigate the variations of the studied models with a little variation of input variables. Of the studied configurations, an off-grid hybrid Hydro/PV/DG/Battery system was found to be the most economically feasible compared to other configurations.