In this paper, a single switch transformerless high step up dc-dc converter with low voltage stress on the power switch for solar energy application is proposed. In the proposed converter only one power switch is used which makes the control scheme simple as well as reducing the switching power loss. The voltage gain of the proposed converter is higher than the conventional boost converter and buck boost converter. The proposed converter has low voltage stress on the power switch which makes reducing the switching power loss. The proposed converter can be operated in the continuous conduction mode (CCM) and the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). In this paper, different operation modes of the proposed converter, calculation of the voltage gain, the currents that flow through the components, efficiency and capacitors voltage ripple are presented. To verify the operation of the proposed converter, simulation results via PSCAD software and experimental results are provided.