Transphorm Inc of Goleta, near Santa Barbara, CA, USA (which designs and delivers power conversion devices and modules) says that its novel 600V gallium nitride (GaN) module has enabled the first GaN-based high power converter. Transphorm will demonstrate the product, built with its customer-partner Yaskawa Electric of Japan, at the upcoming APEC 2013 industry conference.
Yaskawa’s product, a 4.5kW PV power conditioner, is powered by Transphorm’s 600V GaN half-bridge modules, which have enabled it to achieve several firsts:
The first high power converter product utilizing GaN technology.
The first efficient PV power conditioner to operate at 50KHz.
Simultaneous achievement of a 40% reduction in inverter size and 98% efficiency operation, enabled by Transphorm’s EZ-GaN module technology.
Transphorm’s EZ-GaN module technology combines low switching and conduction losses offering reduced energy loss of over 50% compared to conventional silicon based power conversion designs while simultaneously operating at higher frequency, says the firm.
“This is a disruptive first step which signals the broad adoption of GaN-based power conversion solutions.” said Umesh Mishra, CEO of Transphorm.
