INVERTER I TECHNOLOGY


A hybrid approach to inverters


Inverters are now recognised as a key technology for solar and PV and are a focus for companies seeking continual improvements. Dr. Georges Tchouangue, Chief Engineer for Power Semiconductors at Toshiba Electronics Europe discusses a SiC hybrid approach to inverter technology.


SILICON CARBIDE (SiC) devices have the potential to unlock performance and efficiency improvements in applications ranging from rail traction to renewable energy generation. Now, the introduction of hybrid technologies that combine these performance and efficiency advantages with the high- power handling capabilities of silicon injection-enhanced gate transistors (IEGTs) is providing engineers with an effective way of significantly reducing losses while minimizing equipment size.


Improving the efficiency of motor drives, even by only a small percentage, can save a significant quantity of energy normally


wasted as heat. This can translate into positive benefits for business operating costs, equipment design and performance, and carbon footprint. High-power semiconductors have made tremendous advances in recent years, as new device architectures, fabrication processes and technologies have helped to improve both switching and conduction efficiency.


In order to meet wider system requirements such as reliability and overall cost, designers of high-power controllers such as choppers and inverters are typically faced with a choice of a thyristor or Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) as the


18 www.solar-international.net I Issue IV 2014


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