High-Efficiency Solar Inverter with onsemi SiC and IGBT Technology

Application

Description

Complete solar inverter solution featuring onsemi SiC MOSFETs and IGBTs for residential and commercial photovoltaic applications from 3kW to 50kW.

Core Advantages

Maximum Efficiency Advanced SiC and IGBT technology delivers >98.6% efficiency, maximizing energy harvest and ROI
Wide MPPT Range 250-850V MPPT voltage range accommodates various module configurations and shading conditions
Proven Reliability Robust design with high-quality components ensures 25-year system lifetime
Grid Support Comprehensive grid support functions meet modern grid code requirements

Recommended Bill of Materials (BOM)

Item Part Number Description Quantity Datasheet
1 📄 Download
2 📄 Download

Applications

Residential rooftop systems
Commercial rooftop installations
Small utility-scale projects
Solar carports
Agricultural solar
Community solar projects

Technical Specifications

D C Input Voltage Range
200-1000V
M P P T Voltage Range
250-850V
Max D C Input Current
26A (per MPPT)
Number of M P P T Inputs
2 (3-10kW), 3 (15-50kW)
A C Output Voltage
230V single-phase / 400V three-phase
A C Output Frequency
50/60Hz ±5%
Maximum Efficiency
> 98.6% (European efficiency > 98.2%)
M P P T Efficiency
> 99.5%
T H D at Rated Power
< 3%
Power Factor Range
0.8 leading to 0.8 lagging
Standby Power Consumption
< 1W
Protection Class
IP65
Operating Temperature
-25°C to +60°C
Cooling Method
Natural convection / Forced air
Communication
RS485, Ethernet, WiFi optional
Grid Standards
VDE-AR-N 4105, IEC 62116, IEEE 1547

Customer Success Stories

Solar EPC Company

Renewable Energy | Commercial Rooftop Solar Installation

Challenge

A solar EPC company needed high-efficiency inverters for a 500kW commercial rooftop project. Requirements included >98.5% efficiency, wide MPPT voltage range to accommodate different module configurations, and proven reliability for 25-year system lifetime.

Solution

Implemented onsemi-based 30kW three-phase inverters using NTHL040N65S3F MOSFETs for boost stage and FGY75T120SWD IGBTs for inverter. The solution achieved 98.7% maximum efficiency with wide 250-850V MPPT range. IP65 enclosures allowed outdoor installation without additional weather protection.

Results

  • 98.7% maximum efficiency achieved
  • Additional 2.1% annual energy yield vs standard inverters
  • Zero failures in first 3 years of operation
  • Met all grid code requirements including reactive power support
"The onsemi-based inverters delivered exceptional efficiency and reliability. The wide MPPT range accommodated our various string configurations perfectly."
— Contact us for detailed case study

Residential Solar Installer

Residential Solar | Home Solar Systems

Challenge

A residential installer needed compact, quiet inverters for rooftop installations. Key requirements included silent operation, high efficiency for maximum ROI, and easy installation to reduce labor costs.

Solution

Deployed onsemi-based 5kW single-phase inverters with natural convection cooling for silent operation. Used NTHL025N65S3F for highest efficiency and FGY75T120SWD for inverter stage. Plug-and-play installation with integrated DC switch and WiFi monitoring.

Results

  • Completely silent operation (no fans)
  • 98.5% efficiency maximized homeowner ROI
  • Installation time reduced by 30% vs competitors
  • Homeowner app for monitoring increased customer satisfaction
"Our customers love the silent operation and the monitoring app. The high efficiency means faster payback on their solar investment."
— Contact us for detailed case study

FAE Expert Insights

M

Michael Zhang

Senior FAE - Renewable Energy & Power Conversion

10 years

Professional Insights

Key considerations: Every 0.1% efficiency improvement provides significant customer value over system lifetime; Optimize switching frequency for balance between THD and switching losses; Use high-quality DC link capacitors with low ESR for long lifetime; Design for wide MPPT range to accommodate various module configurations; Implement comprehensive grid protection per local requirements. Common pitfalls to avoid: Undersizing magnetics leading to saturation and efficiency loss; Inadequate thermal design for high ambient temperature operation; Poor MPPT algorithm causing oscillation and reduced energy harvest; Insufficient EMI filtering causing grid connection issues.

Key Takeaways

  • Every 0.1% efficiency improvement provides significant customer value over system lifetime
  • Optimize switching frequency for balance between THD and switching losses
  • Use high-quality DC link capacitors with low ESR for long lifetime
  • Design for wide MPPT range to accommodate various module configurations
  • Implement comprehensive grid protection per local requirements

Decision Framework

Decision Framework
Steps:
  1. Evaluate requirements
  2. Compare solutions
  3. Consult FAE

Ready to Implement This Solution?

Contact our FAE team for design support and quotes

Contact Us Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the efficiency advantage of using SiC MOSFETs in solar inverters?

SiC MOSFETs provide significant efficiency advantages: Lower Switching Losses - Zero reverse recovery eliminates diode losses in boost stage

Higher Switching Frequency - Enables smaller magnetics and reduced losses

Lower Conduction Losses - Better RDS(on) vs silicon at high temperatures

Improved Efficiency - Typically 0.3-0.5% higher system efficiency vs silicon solutions. ROI Impact - For a 30kW system with 0.4% efficiency improvement, annual energy gain is ~420kWh. At $0.12/kWh, that's $50/year additional revenue. Over 25 years with 3% inflation, total value exceeds $1,800, justifying the SiC premium.

Contact our technical team to evaluate SiC vs silicon solutions for your specific power level and efficiency targets.

How does the MPPT algorithm affect energy harvest?

MPPT algorithm performance directly impacts energy harvest: Tracking Efficiency - Measures how accurately the algorithm finds the true maximum power point

Tracking Speed - Determines response time to changing irradiance conditions

Stability - Prevents oscillation around MPP that causes energy loss. Our solution achieves >99.5% MPPT efficiency with fast tracking and stable operation. In partial shading conditions, advanced algorithms can recover 10-30% more energy vs simple P&O methods. For systems with multiple MPPT inputs, independent tracking on each string prevents shading on one string from affecting others.

Review our MPPT performance data or contact our technical team for detailed algorithm information.

What grid support functions are included in this solution?

The solar inverter solution includes comprehensive grid support: Reactive Power - Adjustable power factor from 0.8 leading to 0.8 lagging

Voltage Ride-Through - Continues operation during grid voltage disturbances

Frequency Ride-Through - Supports grid stability during frequency variations

Anti-Islanding - Rapid detection and disconnection during grid outages

Power Curtailment - Remote or automatic power reduction when required

Ramp Rate Control - Gradual power changes to minimize grid impact. These functions ensure compliance with modern grid codes including VDE-AR-N 4105, IEEE 1547, and IEC 62116.

Contact our technical team to confirm specific grid code compliance for your region.

How do I size a solar inverter for my installation?

Solar inverter sizing considerations: DC/AC Ratio - Typically 1.1-1.3:1 for optimal performance

Oversizing - Inverter can be 10-20% smaller than array for cost savings

Clipping - Some energy loss during peak production is acceptable if overall economics improve

Climate - Hot climates may require larger inverters for same array size

Shading - Heavy shading may benefit from multiple smaller inverters. Example Sizing - 30kW array in moderate climate: 25kW inverter with 1.2:1 ratio. 50kW array with shading: Two 20kW inverters with independent MPPT. Our FAE team can provide detailed sizing analysis.

Contact our sales team for inverter sizing recommendations based on your specific array configuration and site conditions.

What monitoring and communication options are available?

The solar inverter solution offers comprehensive monitoring: Local Display - LCD showing power, energy, voltage, current, and status

Remote Monitoring - Web portal and mobile app for real-time and historical data

Communication Interfaces - RS485 (Modbus), Ethernet, optional WiFi/GPRS

Data Logging - 25-year data storage with 5-minute resolution

Alerts - Email/SMS notifications for faults and performance issues

API Access - Third-party integration for fleet management. The monitoring system provides visibility into system performance, enabling proactive maintenance and maximizing uptime.

Contact our technical team to discuss your specific monitoring and integration requirements.

What is the expected lifetime of this solar inverter solution?

The solar inverter solution is designed for 25-year system lifetime: Component Selection - High-quality components with appropriate derating

Thermal Design - Conservative thermal design ensures component temperatures stay well below ratings

Protection Features - Comprehensive protection prevents damage from faults

Cooling System - Robust cooling with redundancy where applicable

Serviceability - Modular design allows component replacement if needed. Warranty - 10-year standard warranty with extension options to 20-25 years. Expected Lifetime - Based on component stress analysis and accelerated life testing, >95% of units should operate 25 years with minimal maintenance. Key wear items (fans if equipped) may need replacement after 10-15 years.

Contact our sales team for warranty details and extended warranty options.