Abstract
This paper proposes single-stage converters (SSC's) for applications of photovoltaic powered lighting system (PPLS). The synchronous switch technique is employed to synthesize the SSC's which can fulfill maximum power point tracking (MPPT), battery charging, discharging and lamp ballasting features. Several typical SSC's are discussed in the paper. One of the proposed SSC's, which is the integration of a buck-boost charger/discharger and a class-D series resonant parallel loaded inverter, is analyzed and designed. Both pulse-width modulation (PWM) and variable-frequency controls are used to govern the system. The controller is implemented on a single-chip microprocessor. Simulated and experimental results of the proposed system for driving sixteen GE TBX 26W fluorescent lamps are used to verify the theoretical prediction and feasibility. The proposed system has the merits of lower cost, more compact size and possibly achieving higher reliability over conventional systems.