Comparison of Basic Soft Switching Techniques in DC-DC Boost Converters used in solar PV Panels

DC-DC boost converters are usually used so as to increase voltage in battery charging of electrical vehicles, power factor correction circuits and solar photo voltaic panels etc. applications. The control of these converter types is realized with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) owing to its high power density, fast dynamic response and easy control. The high switching frequency is needed to provide these features. However, the switching losses and electromagnetic interference (EMI) increase if the switching frequency is increased. The efficiency and performance of the converter decrease in this case. So, the soft switching techniques are improved to minimize the switching losses and increase the efficiency DC-DC boost converters are commonly in photovoltaic panels to reduce the cost and increase the power density by increasing the switching frequency. It is also necessary to use soft switching techniques in order to the switching power losses and electromagnetic interference noises as a result of increased switching frequency. In this study, soft switching techniques, which are very popular in recent years and frequently used in the industry, are described. After discussing the advantages and disadvantages of applying each of the techniques described, the results are compared and simulated with PSIM program.