In recent years, renewable energy power generation technology has been rapidly developing. However, renewable energy power generation is often unstable due to factors such as weather, sunlight duration, wind speed, and power transmission and distribution, which significantly impact the power grid. With the increase in photovoltaic and wind power penetration, their inherent randomness, volatility, and characteristics such as grid connection through power electronic devices and low inertia make the deep integration of wind and solar power generation with energy storage inevitable.

Energy storage is an important technology and fundamental equipment supporting the new power system. It can significantly improve the consumption level of renewable energy such as photovoltaic and wind power, support distributed power and microgrids, and is a key technology driving the transition of main energy sources from fossil fuels to renewable energy. It is an important foundation and key technology for the development of new energy, with its importance and demand greatly increasing accordingly.

Due to the convenience of photovoltaic power generation, in the future, "photovoltaic + energy storage" will lead the global energy structure adjustment. The important condition for deep integration of photovoltaic and energy storage relies on the development of inverter technology, photovoltaic cell technology, and various energy storage media.

Introduction to Photovoltaic Inverters and Energy Storage Converters

Photovoltaic inverters are key devices connecting photovoltaic systems to the power grid, ensuring the long-term reliable operation of power stations and improving project investment returns.

The basic function of photovoltaic inverters is to convert the direct current output from photovoltaic cells into alternating current by controlling high-frequency switching of power devices such as IGBTs and MOSFETs through a control system, meeting the power quality requirements for grid connection or load usage. The performance of photovoltaic inverters directly affects the operational stability, power generation efficiency, and service life of the entire photovoltaic system. Photovoltaic inverters can be divided by power and application into four types: residential (3kW~30kW), string inverters (1kW~325kW), centralized inverters (500kW~1.25MW), and microinverters (200W~2.5kW). The main differences among these categories lie in the single inverter capacity and the number of photovoltaic modules directly connected to the inverter, each suited for different application scenarios.

Energy storage systems must connect to the power grid through energy storage converters. Energy storage converters are classified by power and application into residential (≤25kW), commercial and industrial (20kW~325kW), centralized (220kW~1.25MW), and energy storage power stations (≥1MW, with parallel capacity reaching 200MW or more). Residential energy storage is generally called energy storage inverters. Large-scale commercial and industrial energy storage is usually called PCS (Power Conversion System), a device connecting energy storage batteries and the power grid to achieve bidirectional power conversion. Energy storage converters control power devices such as IGBTs, MOSFETs (including SiC), and supporting driver chips to invert DC from energy storage batteries into AC for the grid, or rectify AC from the grid into DC to charge the energy storage system.

High efficiency, high power density, long-term reliability, and low system cost are continuous goals for inverters and converters. TREX Semiconductor, as a leading domestic power semiconductor manufacturer, continuously provides efficient, reliable, high-quality, and cost-effective products for photovoltaic and energy storage applications.

For 1000V string photovoltaic inverters, TREX Semiconductor currently offers:

1. 650V/450A 3-level F2 package IGBT modules for designing NPC1-type ("I" type) 3-level systems (above 80kW).

2. 650V IGBT single transistors (maximum 160A/650V/TO247PLUS, with dedicated product introductions forthcoming) for designing NPC1-type ("I" type) 3-level inverter circuits or as lateral transistors for NPC2-type ("T" type) inverter circuits.

For 1000V centralized photovoltaic inverters and 1500V (MW-level) system energy storage converters, TREX Semiconductor currently offers:

1. 1200V/600A half-bridge E3 package (compatible with mainstream application packages) IGBT modules for designing NPC1-type ("I" type) or ANPC 3-level systems.

2. 1200V/450A half-bridge E3 package (compatible with mainstream application packages) IGBT modules for designing NPC1-type ("I" type) or ANPC 3-level systems.

These IGBT module products all feature low loss, high reliability, and good compatibility. For applications requiring module parallel connection, TREX Semiconductor also provides corresponding product designs and control, as well as recommended driver board manufacturer solutions.

Application Solutions

IGBT modules are used in inverter circuits of photovoltaic inverters (1000V systems) and energy storage converters (1500V systems) in photovoltaic and energy storage systems.

With the development and demand of photovoltaic and energy storage products, TREX Semiconductor will continue to launch 1200V NPC1 topology IGBT modules and SiC modules suitable for 1500V systems, 750V/1200V IGBT single transistors with currents of 100A and above, and isolation driver chips compatible with optocoupler solutions.