lpha and Omega Semiconductor offers efficient solutions for solar micro-inverters

SUNNYVALE, USA: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Ltd (AOS), a designer, developer and global supplier of a broad range of power semiconductors, announced new AlphaMOS solutions that are optimized for emerging DC to AC power inverter applications. The new line up of products is ideally suited for use in solar micro-inverter modules, which are becoming the popular topology in residential and portable solar applications.

Traditional solar setups involve a single inverter for an entire panel array, and thereby are only as efficient as the least performing panel. In contrast, micro-inverters are installed on each panel and can be individually tuned to optimize performance and produce more energy. As the limited space for many solar installations constrain arrays sizes, it is imperative to maximize the performance from every panel. Among the many topologies employed by solar vendors, most solutions require MOSFETs to deliver the power harnessed from the panels to the load or grid.

"Solar energy systems endeavor to capture as much power as possible, and therefore, require high efficiency MOSFETs that minimize conduction and switching losses," said Stephen Chang, senior product marketing manager at AOS. "AOS AlphaMOS solutions are designed to dissipate less power through very low Rds(on) and Qg in order to maximize the performance of solar applications."

For primary DC side control, AOS offers 40V to 100V AlphaMOS medium voltage MOSFETs with ultra-low Rds(on) and gate charge (Qg) in the industry standard TO-220 green package. These devices are 100 percent UIS and Rg tested to ensure high reliability.