The switching power loss due to the panel capacitance during sustain period in AC PDP driving system can be minimized by using the energy recovery circuits. We proposed a new energy recovery circuit, SER1 (Seoul national univ. Energy Recovery circuit 1st). The experimental results of its application to a 42-inch surface discharge type AC PDP showed superior performance of SER1 in energy recovery efficiency and low distortion voltage waveform. Energy recovery efficiency of SER1 was measured up to 92.3 %, and the power dissipation during the sustain period was reduced by 15.2 W in 2000 pulse/frame compared with serial LC resonance energy recovery circuit.