News: Microelectronics
24 June 2026
Eggtronic introduces 500W solar microinverter reference platform with Renesas
Eggtronic of Modena, Italy (which provides mixed-signal IC controllers for power electronics) has released a jointly developed 500W solar microinverter reference platform with Renesas Electronics Corp of Tokyo, Japan.
The design combines Eggtronic’s EPIC mixed-signal controller technology with Renesas’ bidirectional Gallium Nitride (GaN) switch to demonstrate a high-efficiency architecture to support microinverter OEMs and system manufacturers in developing next-generation solar microinverters and power conversion applications.
The reference platform achieves 96.1% average efficiency under CEC standards and 95.9% under EU standards, validating the performance potential of a single-stage DC-to-AC topology enabled by advanced digital control and wide-bandgap semiconductors.
As photovoltaic (PV) module output continues to increase beyond 400W, microinverter manufacturers must continuously optimize efficiency, thermal performance, component integration, and overall system cost. Many established architectures — whether based on interleaving, multi-stage topologies, or advanced GaN implementations — involve design trade-offs between complexity, power density, and cost that require careful engineering balance.
The jointly developed reference design demonstrates how semiconductor-level innovation — combining intelligent mixed-signal control and high-performance bidirectional GaN switching devices — can enable OEMs to explore alternative architectures that optimize efficiency and power density while maintaining system reliability.
At the core of the platform is Eggtronic’s proprietary EPIC mixed-signal controller EPIC2ACO01. The controller executes patented Variable Frequency Modulation (VFM) and current-mode strategies designed to maintain zero-voltage switching (ZVS) across the full load range. This single-stage approach minimizes bill-of-materials (BOM) cost, switching losses, reduces reactive power circulation, and maintains low total harmonic distortion (THD), while enabling operation at switching frequencies up to 1MHz — significantly reducing the size of magnetic components.
The platform leverages Renesas’ TP65B110HRU bidirectional GaN switch, integrated in a common-drain configuration suitable for cycloconverter-based AC switching. The device’s low on-resistance and fast-switching characteristics enable high-frequency operation and reduced conduction losses, supporting compact and thermally optimized designs.
“This reference platform highlights how advanced digital control, combined with high-performance GaN devices, can support OEM partners in developing efficient and compact microinverter solutions,” says Eggtronic’s CEO Igor Spinella. “Our objective is to provide enabling semiconductor technologies that help established and emerging manufacturers accelerate innovation while optimizing overall system performance,” he adds.
“Our bidirectional GaN technology, combined with advanced control solutions, serves as a strong foundation for next-generation microinverter systems developed by our customers,” says Pietro Scalia, senior director, Power System Marketing and Architecture, at Renesas.
Key features of the 500W reference platform include:
- High-efficiency demonstration: 96.1% average efficiency (CEC) and 95.9% average efficiency (EU), with a flat efficiency curve across operating conditions;
- 500W continuous output power: designed to support modern high-power PV modules;
- high-frequency operation: switching frequencies up to 1MHz to reduce magnetics size;
- low THD performance: <3%, compliant with IEEE 1547 standards;
- single-stage cost optimize architecture: designed to help OEMs reduce component count and optimize cost.
The 500W Microinverter Reference Design (ERD00718) is available for evaluation by qualified OEM and system manufacturer customers. The design incorporates the EPIC2ACO01 controller, optimized for this topology, together with Renesas’ TP65B110HRU bidirectional GaN device.
