As the demand for eco-friendly energy increases, maximizing efficiency in solar power generation and energy storage systems is becoming increasingly important. In this context, ON Semi’s silicon carbide technology is being adopted in Ampt’s DC string optimizers, contributing to improved efficiency.

Onsemi announced on the 6th a collaboration with Ampt LLC to meet high demand for DC string optimizer products. Ampt LLC, a world-leading company optimized for DC in large-scale photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage systems, stated that it will use Onsemi’s N-channel SiC MOSFETs, part of the EliteSiC family of silicon carbide (SiC) technology, in DC string optimizers for power switching applications.

Ampt string optimizers are used in large-scale PV power plants, enabling low-cost, high-performance solar thermal and DC combined energy storage systems deployed within solar power plants. String optimizers supply power from PV arrays at high fixed voltages for system voltages in the 600 to 1500 VDC range, reducing overall current requirements and power plant costs. The Ampt optimizer utilizes ON Semi's latest SiC MOSEFT technology, which has the lowest ON resistance and switching losses, to enable higher charge and discharge efficiencies in energy storage systems and solar power plants.

Ampt CEO Levent Gun said, “Integrating ON Semi’s EliteSiC technology into DC optimizers helps utility-scale solar developers and owners improve project economics. While product performance was a critical decision for us, ON Semi’s technical support during the design phase and their guarantee of continuous supply to support Ampt’s rapid expansion were also key factors in making them a strong partner.”

EliteSiC devices provide a low gate charge (Qg) value of 56nC, along with a nominal RDS(on) of 80mΩ and a low Rg of 1.7Ω. Additionally, they can operate at a junction temperature of 175°C, reducing thermal management requirements for applications and providing a smaller, more affordable solution.

Simon Keeton, Vice President and General Manager of ON Semi Power Solutions Group, said, “The combination of performance and reliability of EliteSiC technology enables efficient and reliable DC optimizers,” adding that “this is what industry leaders like Ampt expect, and ON Semi looks forward to continued collaboration on new products that drive renewable energy applications in the journey toward a sustainable ecosystem.”