Converter Efficiency Improvement of Islanded DC Microgrid with Converter Array

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy is growing rapidly in energy supplying for residential buildings. Since solar energy directly generates DC power, a DC microgrid is a better choice particularly in islanded mode of operation. The DC–DC converter is the most essential part of DC microgrid, and therefore, overall efficiency of microgrid largely depends upon the converter’s efficiency. The efficiency of converters depends upon the controller along with load conditions. The converter has typically lower efficiency in both the cases of heavy and light load conditions. This paper presents the analysis of converter efficiency improvement of DC microgrid using converter arrays at the place of centralized converters. The data of solar power generation and load demand have been used in the study, and it is found that converter array improves the efficiency by maximum 2.587% than centralized converter architecture.