News: Microelectronics
5 December 2023
EPC eGaN FET used in MPPT charging converter of EET’s SolMate solar balcony power plant
Efficient Power Conversion Corp (EPC) of El Segundo, CA, USA says that its EPC2204 enhancement-mode gallium nitride (eGaN) power transistor has been selected by Efficient Energy Technology GmbH (EET) of Graz, Austria for its latest SolMate solar balcony power plant.
The EPC2204 is said to strike an optimal compromise between low RDS(on) and low COSS, critical for demanding hard-switching application, while featuring a drain–source breakdown voltage of 100V in a compact package. This compact design significantly reduces PCB size, keeps current loops small, and minimizes electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions.
Following the integration of GaN in its SolMate MPPT (maximum power point tracker) charging converter, EET has realized multiple benefits, EPC says. Efficiency loss has been halved, increasing overall efficiency from 96% to 98%. The converter’s volume has decreased by 70%, and the bill-of-materials (BOM) and manufacturing costs have been reduced by 20%, all while reducing cooling requirements. Additionally, the increased switching frequency by a factor of 10 eliminates the need for error-prone electrolytic capacitors, increasing the converter’s lifespan.
By reducing power loss, EET’s system can more efficiently convert solar energy, allowing the firm to generate several megawatts of additional solar power that would otherwise dissipate as heat on a large scale. The reduced cooling requirements are particularly significant in scenarios without access to fresh air, where a water-resistant case is employed.
“Our vision is to make renewable energy simple, safe and reliable for everyone. We accomplish this by enabling individuals to use green energy where it is most crucial – in their own homes,” says Jan Senn, chief marketing officer & sales at EET. “SolMate combines the highest quality, excellent user experience and design into one user-friendly lifestyle product for every home. Transitioning to GaN helps us realize this vision, and we are currently exploring the integration of GaN transistors from EPC in other power converters as well,” he adds.
“Our commitment to delivering high-performance and efficient power conversion solutions aligns perfectly with EET’s mission to make renewable energy accessible and reliable for all,” says Stefan Werkstetter, VP of EMEA sales at EPC. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with EET and contributing to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions.”
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