2026, Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A
Efficiency comparison of single-stage and two-stage DC-DC converters for rural solar applications
Author(s): Hiroshi Tanaka, Yuki Nakamura and Kenji Watanabe
Abstract: Rural electrification through solar photovoltaic systems presents unique challenges in converter topology selection, particularly when balancing efficiency against cost and complexity constraints faced by agricultural communities. This research conducted a systematic comparison between single-stage and two-stage DC-DC converter architectures for battery charging applications in off-grid solar installations across 36 rural sites in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. Field trials spanning January 2023 through October 2023 evaluated converter performance under the variable irradiance conditions characteristic of northern Japanese agricultural regions, where seasonal solar availability fluctuates dramatically between summer cultivation periods and winter months. The single-stage buck-boost converter configuration achieved peak efficiencies between 91.3% and 93.8% depending on operating conditions, while the two-stage cascade arrangement incorporating separate boost and buck stages reached maximum efficiencies of 87.6% to 90.2%. Despite lower peak efficiency, the two-stage topology demonstrated superior maximum power point tracking accuracy across wider input voltage ranges, maintaining stable battery charging when panel voltage varied between 12V and 48V. Loss analysis revealed that switching losses dominated both configurations, contributing 32.4% of total losses in single-stage designs and 38.6% in two-stage systems due to cumulative switching events. Conduction losses followed at 28.7% and 31.2% respectively. The single-stage converter proved more suitable for installations with matched panel and battery voltage ratios, typically achieving 2.8% higher weighted average efficiency across seasonal operating profiles. However, two-stage converters offered advantages for systems requiring voltage flexibility or those incorporating panels from multiple manufacturers with varying electrical characteristics. Economic analysis incorporating component costs, installation complexity, and projected energy harvest over ten-year operational lifetimes indicated that single-stage converters provided better value for standardized installations, while two-stage systems justified their additional cost only when voltage mismatch exceeded 3:1 ratio. These findings offer practical guidance for rural electrification project planners selecting converter topologies appropriate for specific site conditions and budget constraints.
DOI: 10.22271/27083969.2026.v7.i1a.89
Pages: 07-13 | Views: 42 | Downloads: 16
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How to cite this article:
Hiroshi Tanaka, Yuki Nakamura, Kenji Watanabe. Efficiency comparison of single-stage and two-stage DC-DC converters for rural solar applications. Int J Electr Data Commun 2026;7(1):07-13. DOI: 10.22271/27083969.2026.v7.i1a.89
