Microchip Technology Pioneering Solar Solutions for a Sustainable Future

The Growing Importance of Solar Power

The global energy crisis has heightened the focus on renewable power, with solar energy emerging as a key driver in electricity generation as the world strives for net-zero emissions. The overall sustainability market is forecasted to grow at over a 20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), necessitating improvements in system efficiency and intelligence through innovative designs and technologies.

We view the sustainability mega trend as encompassing any product or system designed to reduce resource consumption, in four focus areas:

• Energy generation, storage and smart distribution
• Efficient energy and water use
• Resource monitoring and optimization
• Waste reduction and reuse

Market Trends and Segmentation

The global photovoltaic (PV) inverter market is expanding at a CAGR of over 11%. In 2022, central inverters dominated the market in terms of revenue. However, string inverters are the fastest-growing segment due to their ease of installation for both commercial and residential applications. The micro inverter market is expected to grow at an approximate 20% CAGR over the next five years.

Geographically, the Asia-Pacific region, led by China, represented 50% of the global market. Europe accounted for 28%, and the US approximately 13%.

Detailed Inverter Architectures

Various inverter architectures are essential for different applications.

Micro Inverters

Micro inverters are small devices mounted on individual solar panels. They optimize performance through maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and are ideal for residential and small commercial installations. Each micro inverter operates independently, ensuring that shading or a malfunctioning panel does not affect the entire system.

Power Optimizers

Power optimizers are DC to DC converters that tune the performance of each solar panel and match the output to the DC to AC inverter. They are often used in conjunction with string inverters to enhance system efficiency and reliability, particularly in installations where shading or panel mismatches are a concern.

String Inverters

String inverters are used when multiple solar panels are connected in series. They support single-phase or three-phase conversion and are commonly used in larger residential and commercial installations. String inverters perform MPPT on the entire string of panels, making them less effective in shaded environments compared to micro inverters and power optimizers.

Hybrid Solar Inverters

Hybrid solar inverters combine a solar inverter and a battery inverter into a single unit. They manage power from solar panels, batteries and the utility grid, making them ideal for installations that require energy storage and grid interaction. Hybrid inverters offer flexibility and enhanced energy management capabilities.

Central Inverters

Central inverters are used for large-scale installations, converting DC to AC power and supporting outputs from a few hundred kilowatts to upwards of 2000 kilowatts. They are typically used in utility-scale solar farms and large commercial installations. Central inverters offer high efficiency and centralized control but require careful system design to manage shading and panel mismatches.

Addressing Key Challenges

Key challenges in the solar inverter market include enhanced maintenance capabilities, improved system reliability, security, energy and power management and the reduction of overall size. These challenges can be addressed using silicon carbide, intelligent power, energy management, connectivity, thermal management, wireless security and AI/ML.

Microchip's Comprehensive Power Solutions

We provide a complete line of mSiC™ (Silicon Carbide) discrete components, power modules and integrated solutions. As well as IGBT modules in various packages including the new IGBT Trench 7, or IGBT7) and in various topologies (single switch, half bridge or phase leg, Buck chopper, Boost chopper, three-level NPC, three-phase bridge, dual common source and T-Type, among others). These devices coupled with the dsPIC® series of digital signal controllers are well suited for various power topologies and provide lower switching losses, higher efficiency and reduced system costs.

Reference Designs and Tools

To accelerate the design process, we offer several reference designs, including an 11kW totem pole reference design, a grid-connected solar micro inverter reference design and a 400W solar charger. Additionally, the MPLAB Mindi Analog Simulator and Plex simulation models provide valuable tools for designing and testing solar power systems.

11kW Totem Pole Reference Design

This bidirectional topology can take solar input voltages and convert them to single or three-phase AC outputs for hybrid power designs with energy storage. The AC to DC path can be used to charge battery banks and invert power back to the grid. This design is also applicable for electric vehicle applications with vehicle-to-grid capabilities.

Grid-Connected Solar Micro Inverter Reference Design

This reference design provides a starting point for developing micro inverters. It includes all necessary connection rules for anti-islanding, power factor correction and current injection. The design leverages multiple Microchip components to ensure high efficiency and reliability.

400W Solar Charger

This DC to DC converter is designed for charging batteries with solar power. It supports multi-topology and multi-chemistry configurations, making it versatile for various battery types and arrangements. The design includes a GUI and data stream for monitoring and control, along with an Excel-based design tool for customization.

Conclusion

This overview of the solar inverter market and Microchip's solutions highlights the importance of innovative technologies in enabling a sustainable world through solar solutions. For more detailed information, visit our website to explore the analog interface parts browser, reference designs and simulation tools.