Eggtronic and Renesas unveil 500W solar microinverter reference platform

Eggtronic and Renesas have introduced a jointly developed 500W solar microinverter reference platform aimed at OEMs building next-generation solar systems. The design posts up to 96.1% average efficiency under CEC standards and is now available for evaluation by qualified customers.

Why it matters: - The reference platform targets solar microinverter makers that need higher efficiency, lower heat, and lower component counts as PV module power rises above 400W. - The design shows a single-stage DC-to-AC approach that can help OEMs weigh a different trade-off profile than interleaved or multi-stage architectures. - The platform is positioned for next-generation microinverter and power conversion applications where power density and system cost remain central constraints.

What happened: - Eggtronic announced a jointly developed 500W solar microinverter reference platform with Renesas Electronics Corporation on June 22, 2026. - The platform combines Eggtronic’s EPIC mixed-signal controller technology with Renesas’ bidirectional gallium nitride, or GaN, switch. - Eggtronic said the design is intended to support microinverter OEMs and system manufacturers. - The reference design, ERD00718, is available for evaluation by qualified OEM and system manufacturer customers.

The details: - The platform reports 96.1% average efficiency under CEC standards and 95.9% under EU standards. - The design uses Eggtronic’s EPIC2ACO01 controller. - The controller runs patented Variable Frequency Modulation and current-mode strategies to maintain Zero-Voltage Switching across the full load range. - The single-stage approach is designed to reduce BOM cost, switching losses, reactive power circulation, and total harmonic distortion. - The architecture supports switching frequencies up to 1 MHz, which reduces the size of magnetic components. - Renesas’ TP65B110HRU bidirectional GaN switch is used in a common-drain configuration suited to cycloconverter-based AC switching. - The GaN device’s low on-resistance and fast switching characteristics support high-frequency operation, lower conduction losses, and compact thermal design. - The platform is designed for 500W continuous output power. - The design targets low THD below 3% and complies with IEEE 1547 standards. - The key features also include a flat efficiency curve across operating conditions.

Between the lines: - The collaboration reflects a broader push to pair advanced control ICs with wide-bandgap semiconductors to squeeze more performance out of solar power electronics. - The reference design gives OEMs a working benchmark rather than a finished consumer product, which can shorten development time for companies evaluating new microinverter architectures. - The emphasis on efficiency, magnetics size, and cost suggests the companies are aiming at both technical performance and manufacturability.

What's next: - Eggtronic says the reference design is ready for evaluation by qualified OEM and system manufacturer customers. - The companies are steering developers toward the EPIC2ACO01 controller and TP65B110HRU GaN device as the core building blocks for future microinverter products. - Additional product information is available in Eggtronic’s solar power converter page and Renesas’ TP65B110HRU product page.