At Zenergize, we build our inverters and chargers around Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs, not conventional silicon IGBTs, which results in inverters and chargers delivering their full rated power output even when the ambient temperature is 55°C. No throttling. No hidden performance loss. No surprises.
The reasons behind this result are as follows
Thermal conductivity: SiC has a thermal conductivity nearly 3× higher than silicon, translating to significantly better heat dissipation at the device level. Heat generated during power conversion moves away from the junction faster, similar to how metals transfer heat quickly while materials like plastic or glass tend to retain it, preventing thermal buildup.
Higher rated junction temperature: SiC MOSFETs are rated for junction temperatures higher than comparable silicon devices. Silicon IGBTs are typically designed to operate below about 125 °C junction temperature for reliability, while SiC MOSFETs can safely operate at junction temperatures up to 175 °C, providing a larger thermal operating margin.
Lower switching losses: In back-to-back tests of similarly rated inverters, SiC MOSFETs showed approximately 78% less energy loss per switching cycle compared to silicon IGBTs. Less energy lost as heat means less heat generated in the first place, creating a virtuous cycle that keeps the device cooler under the same load.
What This Means in the Indian Context
India’s solar capacity has crossed 90 GW, with rooftop solar growing rapidly under schemes like PM Surya Ghar Yojana. But as installations multiply, performance in real Indian conditions, not laboratory conditions, is what separates good hardware from great hardware.
Full power at 55°C ambient means:
- No lost generation during peak solar hours
- No unexpected downtime during the summer months when the load is highest
- Longer component life because the system is not constantly thermal cycling at its limits
SiC MOSFETs are how we ensure that. No compromises. No derating. Just full power, when it matters most.
To understand derating in detail, refer to our earlier articles: Thermal Derating, Thermal Derating Losses