Design of Non-isolated DC–DC Converters for Maximum Power Point Tracking in Stand-Alone Photovoltaic System

The rapid expansion of solar Photovoltaic (PV) power generation is pivotal in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. PV systems are generally categorized as grid-tied or standalone. A critical issue in these systems is the reduction in energy efficiency due to Partial Shading Conditions (PSCs), which may arise from factors such as trees, dust, and buildings. PSCs lead to significant power losses and the formation of hotspots, posing challenges in tracking the Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP). This study focuses on optimizing PV efficiency by analyzing various non-isolated DC–DC converters, including Cuk, Buck–Boost, SEPIC, Boost, Zeta, Ultra-Lift Luo, and Super-Lift Luo converters. Using MATLAB/Simulink, the performance of these converters was simulated and compared under partial shading conditions. Our findings reveal that high-gain converters, such as the Ultra-Lift Luo, provide up to 15% higher efficiency in tracking GMPP under shading conditions compared to conventional converters. These results offer practical insights into enhancing PV system performance under real-world shading scenarios.