The right technology for solar converters

Thanks to ST’s newest technologies (MDmesh™ V and SiC) and a new converter philosophy, a 650 V fast power MOSFET can be used to boost performance and reduce the size of the converter. A stage-by-stage explanation is presented here, as well as the topologies adopted, and a detailed analysis of the front-end stage of the inverter is discussed. The BOOST stage is used as a case study to validate the performance of the new power MOSFETs and diodes.

Everyone is thinking “green’ these days. Adding to the new green conscience are the increasing costs of fossil and nuclear fuels, prompting the market to turn to creative technologies that use renewable resources to produce energy. Energy produced from renewable resources are becoming an important contribution to the world’s total energy demand and will increase in the next decades. Solar photovoltaic technology represents one of the most promising energy resources, due to its low environmental impact and high reliability. Every photovoltaic (PV) system consists of a module array and an inverter. The
inverter module is mandatory on all grid-connected applications, in order to amplify the low DC voltage generated by the module to the higher AC level required by the grid. If several modules are connected in series it might not be necessary to include amplification, but in any case a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) function is required.

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