An improved solar step-up power converter for next-generation electric vehicle charging

This study proposes an innovative control strategy based on a quadratic equation derived from a core battery charging model. This strategy is applied to a solar step-up power converter (SSUPC), which is specifically optimized for electric vehicle charging. The model includes a 500 W SSUPC, controlled by a microprocessor, effectively converting low input voltage into high output voltage. The proposed control strategy allows the SSUPC to operate in discontinuous conduction mode, thereby achieving a higher voltage gain. In experiments with an input voltage of 20 V, the system was capable of outputting up to 480 V, while maintaining a low duty cycle of 0.3 and achieving a system conversion efficiency of 95 %. Furthermore, the SSUPC integrates a pyramid maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm, initiating MPPT to capture the maximum power point when the solar output power is insufficient for electric vehicle charging, achieving an MPPT efficiency of 99 %. The developed charger is compact, boasts high power density, is cost-effective, and is well-suited for widespread application, meeting the 480 V charging requirements of electric vehicles.