RT Journal Article T1 Analysis, design, and implementation of the AFZ converter applied to photovoltaic systems A1 López del Moral Hernández, David A1 Barrado Bautista, Andrés A1 Sanz García, Clara Marina A1 Lázaro Blanco, Antonio A1 Zumel Vaquero, Pablo AB Grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) installations with Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (DMPPT) architecturesinclude a DC-DC Module Integrated Converter (MIC) for managing each PV panel, isolating it from the others, reducing the mismatchingeffect and maximizing the harvested power. In this paper, the Autotransformer Forward converter with type-Zeta resonant reset (AFZ)is proposed as a DMPPT architecture’s MIC candidate. The main characteristics of the AFZ converter are the high versatility due to itsvoltage step-up and step-down capability; the use of an optimized autotransformer with only two windings, reducing the complexity andpower losses of this component; the good dynamic performances, like the Forward converter ones; the low number of components andthe simplicity and high feasibility associated to the use of just one active switch. Besides, soft switching transitions are achieved thanks tothe autotransformer type-Zeta resonant reset. The steady-state theoretical analysis, considering the effect of the autotransformer leakageinductance, is presented. The converter is also studied in the frequency domain, obtaining the small-signal transfer functions. A designprocedure based on the requirements of a 100 kW grid-tied photovoltaic installation is described, yielding in a 225 W prototype withefficiencies up to 95.6 %. Experimental results validate the theoretical analysis. PB Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) SN 0885-8993 YR 2021 FD 2021-02 LK https://hdl.handle.net/10016/35533 UL https://hdl.handle.net/10016/35533 LA eng NO This work was supported in part by the SpanishMinistry of Economy and Competitiveness and FEDER funds through theresearch project “Storage and Energy Management for Hybrid Electric Vehiclesbased on Fuel Cell, Battery and Supercapacitors” ELECTRICAR-AG underGrant DPI2014-53685-C2-1-R, in part by the research project CONEXPOTunder Grant DPI2017-84572-C2-2-R, and in part by the research project EPIIOTunder Grant DPI2017-88062-R. DS e-Archivo RD 17 jun. 2024