US semiconductor supplier Onsemi has unveiled silicon carbide-integrated modules for utility-scale PV systems. It says the new modules increase the solar inverter power from 300 kW to 350 kW and weigh 245 grams.
Onsemi has released an improved range of power modules to boost utility-scale solar energy generation and storage.
The new line consists of silicon and silicon carbide hybrid power-integrated modules (PIMs) in an F5BP package that can be integrated with solar string inverters or energy storage system (ESS) applications.
“The F5BP PIMs are integrated with 1050V FS7 IGBT and the 1200V D3 EliteSiC diode to form a base that enables high voltage and high current conversion while reducing power dissipation and increasing reliability,” the company said in a statement. “The FS7 IGBTs offer low turn-off losses and reduce switching losses by up to 8%, while the EliteSiC diodes offer superior switching performance and reduced voltage flicker by 15% compared to previous generations.”
The PIMs feature an I-type Neutral Point Clamp (INPC) design for the inverter module and a flying capacitor topology for the boost module. They also feature an optimized electrical layout and advanced direct-bonded copper (DBC) substrates, reducing stray inductance and thermal resistance for better performance.
“A copper base plate further reduces thermal resistance to the heatsink by 9.3%, keeping the module cool under high operational loads,” Onsemi added. “This thermal management is crucial for maintaining the efficiency and longevity of the modules, making them highly effective for demanding applications that require a reliable and sustainable power supply.”
The modules operate at temperatures ranging from -40 C to 150 C under switching conditions and can handle up to 125 C in storage. The modules weigh 245 grams each, feature solder pins, are free of lead (Pb) and halides and deliver improved power density and efficiency compared to previous models. This improvement increases the solar inverter system capacity from 300 kW to 350 kW within the same footprint.
“This means that a utility-scale solar farm with a capacity of one gigawatt (GW) using the latest generation of modules can achieve energy savings of almost 2 MW per hour, or the equivalent of powering more than 700 homes per year ,” the company said. “In addition, fewer modules are required to achieve the same power threshold as the previous generation, which can reduce the cost of power device components by more than 25%.”
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