[Editor's Note] Wolfspeed, which boasts leadership in power semiconductor technology, recently held the 2024 Wolfspeed Power Technical Roadshow in Seoul. Many domestic and international engineers gathered to attend the presentation session to introduce the advantages and solutions of silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors. We met with Guy Moxey, VP of Wolfspeed Marketing, and Rexin Wang, Asia Strategic Market Development, to hear about the seminar and the current status of SiC semiconductors.

■ What kind of event is the recently held Wolfspeed Power Seminar?

[Lexin Wang] The Power Technical Roadshow is an event held in Seoul for the first time in two years. It was an opportunity to introduce Wolfspeed's latest SiC technology, power application design solution products, and related support platforms to power application product designers, engineers, and customers.

■ Wolfspeed is leading the SiC market. What is the company’s current status?

[Lexin Wang] Wolfspeed is leading the transition from silicon (Si) to silicon carbide (SiC), shaping the future of the semiconductor market, including the transition to electric vehicles, the development of renewable energy and ESS, and the advancement of industrial applications. Wolfspeed SiC power semiconductors, which have been adopting and transforming new technologies for over 35 years, are leading the industry.

In 2011, we commercialized the first fully certified SiC MOSFET, setting a new standard for high-efficiency power switches. Wolfspeed has a leading market share in the SiC technology field and is making significant investments. In April 2022, the 200mm SiC fab in Mohawk Valley, New York was officially opened, and in September of the same year, it announced that it would invest billions of dollars to build a SiC material manufacturing facility in Chatham County, North Carolina, USA. The construction of this factory has recently completed the final beam placement on the building ceiling in the first phase of construction.

It also announced plans to build the world’s largest, most advanced silicon carbide component manufacturing plant in Saarland, Germany, in February 2023. It will be the world’s largest 200mm semiconductor plant for producing next-generation SiC components.

Wolfspeed will expand its SiC device manufacturing facilities in Europe to support accelerating customer demand and support its long-term profitability outlook.

■ What are the recent trends surrounding SiC technology and the market?

[Guy Moxie] You probably know that the data center market has been adopting SiC for the past 10 years. DC fast charging BVS has also adopted SiC. The value it brings compared to silicon is that there is more market.

We will talk about expanding the renewable energy industry into the utility space. In the seminar, we will talk about industrial motor drive UPS, and we will talk about the expectations for electric vehicles. It is important to note that electrification is happening not only on the road, but also outside the road, in the sky and on the water.

■ China's power semiconductor fab construction is expanding significantly. The expansion of power semiconductor supply by Chinese companies is expected to have a shock to the market, such as oversupply issues. I am curious about Wolfspeed's outlook and response strategy.

[Guy Moksi] It's hard to guess how big the market will be, but market reports and data reports say it will grow further.

We already know the trend in China. This is not surprising. SiC is the most notable technology in power semiconductors. Nevertheless, we will continue to do what we do well. With 37 years of experience and $6.5 billion in investment in production facilities, we are firmly on our way.

■ Aren’t you worried about China’s pursuit?

[Guy Moksi] Of course, China is investing a lot of capital in silicon carbide. So is Europe, and so is North America.

We are not afraid of any competition. We will study our competitors' products and watch how they do their work. In the midst of all this, we will invest more money than anyone else to get more kepa.

■ SiC has great potential in industrial motors and motion fields. What are the advantages of applying SiC in these fields and what are the power design issues?

[Guy Moksi] The industrial motor sector accounts for the largest share of the global power semiconductor market. Its share is greater than that of automobiles. Motors account for 40% of global electricity consumption. This can be said to account for a huge share of the power electronics sector.

IGBTs have been spinning motors for over 20 years and have done a decent job. But with efficiency standards rising and electricity costs rising, the global power crisis is creating a need for more efficient solutions.

That's why SiC is used in industrial motors. Not only can the system size be reduced, but the most important thing is power efficiency. SiC is more efficient.

Cost-wise, IGBT chips will be the cheapest because they have been around for 20 years. They are produced on 300mm wafers and they are not going to get any cheaper. They are at the bottom of the cost curve.

IGBTs are now obsolete. SiC is the higher cost material. We know that performance drives system value.

■ The demand for SiC in the EV market continues to increase and its growth potential is also high. Power semiconductor launches continue to increase and competition with competitors is also intensifying. What are Wolfspeed’s SiC branding and technological prowess that it focuses on amidst fierce competition?

[Guy Moxie] First of all, Wolfspeed covers everything on the road and off the road, including the sky and the sea. The range is wide, including electric motorbikes and electric vehicles. So Wolfspeed is offering a wide product portfolio because there are very different performances between electric motorbikes and electric cruisers. We have different voltage levels, different curve levels, different packaging, from kilowatts to megawatts.

So first of all, it is important to secure the right product. Secondly, it is important to secure sufficient supply suitable for automobiles or electric vehicles. Because SiC is used a lot in automobiles, airplanes, boats, etc. That is why we are investing more than $6.5 billion. We believe that our supply capacity is sufficient.

Finally, long-term reliability. Semiconductors that are installed in airplanes, cars, construction vehicles, trains, etc., must last a long time. Consumer devices are generally reliable, but certified products do not mean long-term reliability. Long-term reliability is a different area.

Technology for Wolfspeed's performance, technology for supply, and technology for long-term reliability are the three elements that customers demand in the electric vehicle market.

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