News: Microelectronics
25 August 2025
Power Integrations rolls out reference design kit for solar race cars featuring high-efficiency GaN IC
Power Integrations Inc of San Jose, CA, USA (which provides high-voltage integrated circuits for energy-efficient power conversion) is rolling out a new reference design kit tailored specifically for solar-powered race cars as 37 student teams prepare to race across the Australian Outback in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, starting 24 August.
The RDK-85SLR kit features the PI InnoSwitch3-AQ IC, which incorporates PI’s PowiGaN gallium nitride switch technology. The kit is inspired by a design created by PI’s PowerPros online support engineers in collaboration with the ETH Zurich aCentauri team, whose #85 ‘Silvretta’ challenger-class car is using the design to maximize efficiency in its auxiliary power supply.
“Thousands of engineering students participate in solar car challenges around the world each year, and these innovators will help bring about a more sustainable future,” says Andy Smith, director of technical outreach and training for Power Integrations. “We are providing this reference kit to help young engineers take advantage of the latest, most energy-efficient technologies, such as PowiGaN, in their designs.”
The design kit includes everything needed to create a 46W power supply that delivers up to 80W for short periods — making it suitable for use as an auxiliary power supply in a solar race car. It employs the InnoSwitch3-AQ flyback power supply IC with a highly efficient PowiGaN switch and eliminates the need for a heatsink, enabling more compact, lightweight and cost-effective designs. Contents of the kit include a sample power supply, four InnoSwitch3-AQ ICs, and an unpopulated PCB. It is backed by a report containing power supply and magnetics transformer build instructions, schematics, a PCB layout guide, a parts list and comprehensive performance data. Live tech support is available from Power Integrations’ PowerPros team.
“We proved PowiGaN’s reliability, performance and efficiency in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in 2023,” says Aaron Griesser, lead electrical engineer from the 2023 aCentauri team. “We achieved 95% efficiency across both light and full loads with a broad output range of 5–60W. Additionally, the scrutineering judges were astounded to see an auxiliary power supply without a heatsink.”
Power Integrations is a sponsor of the aCentauri team and will be reporting on the race from Mr. Green’s Blog and PI’s social media channels using hashtag #PowiGaNVan.
Reference design kit RDK-85SLR is priced at $50. Solar race car teams can get the kit free by registering online.
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