ABSTRACT
This chapter overview of energy efficiency issues, the analysis of voltage and current stresses on silicon devices in correlation with the power converter topologies for a PV application. The chapter discusses some models and methods for loss calculation and selection of power MOSFETs for high-energy-efficiency SMPS design. The application context considered is restricted to DC/DC converters for PV applications, specifically for Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) at the module or submodule level. The model discussed in this chapter is aimed at providing a practical methodology for quick evaluation of global energy productivity allowed by different topologies in photovoltaic (PV) applications. During the last decades many energy saving programs have been promoted by governments and public agencies worldwide to encourage high-efficiency Switch-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) manufacturing. The achievement of an SMPS design complying with given efficiency requirements is possible only if adequate loss models are used.
