Brek’s 250 kW SiC photo voltaic inverter
Picture: Brake Electronics
Brek Electronics has developed two string inverters with a brand new composite structure, optimized for silicon carbide (SiC) elements.
“The design replaces movie capacitors with machine-mountable ceramic capacitors and makes use of planar magnetics,” an organization spokesperson mentioned. pv journal.
The US producer mentioned SiC steel oxide semiconductor area impact transistors (MOSFETs) have 20 occasions sooner switching frequency than silicon insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). Each gadgets have energy outputs of 200 kW and 400 kW. The SiC elements present the 400 kW inverter with an influence density of 4 kW/kg, in accordance with the corporate.
The Brek IS400 measures 762 mm x 381 mm x 635 mm. Brek estimated its weight at 100 kg, however famous that some components had been lacking from the calculation. The system has an effectivity of as much as 99%. It has a DC energy voltage from 875 V to 1,500 V and an ambient working temperature from -40 C to 60 C.
The IS200 system has the identical effectivity and working temperature, however measures 381 mm x 381 mm x 635 mm and weighs 50 kg. It has one most energy level monitoring (MPPT) enter, whereas the IS400 has two. The utmost enter present DC per MPPT is 222 A.
Berk claims that IS400 has a lifetime of about 15 years, with lab assessments reportedly displaying an enchancment in present to failure in comparison with standard silicon. It’s mentioned to submit the inverter for UL testing within the fourth quarter of 2023. It’s anticipated to be launched within the first half of 2024.
The silicon carbide-based composite structure know-how for string inverters is among the finalists of the US Nationwide Renewable Vitality Laboratory’s (NREL) American-Made Photo voltaic Prize. Silicon carbide based mostly inverters are identified to have larger energy density and decrease whole system price than conventional inverters. Nevertheless, interface defects between the silicon carbide and the insulating silicon dioxide materials are nonetheless points for such gadgets.
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