BD-IGBT Roadmap

IPC’s topology requires an AC switch that can both conduct and block current flow in either direction. IPC’s initial product uses standard silicon IGBTs. Since these devices can not support this capability, IPC constructs bi-directional switches from 4 discrete devices - 2 silicon IGBT and 2 silicon diodes.

IPC received a $2.5M Department of Energy ARPA-E (Advanced Research Project Agency – Energy) award to develop and commercial new bi-directional silicon IGBTs (BD-IGBT). IPC is cooperating with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Virginia Tech to develop and commercialize these new BD-IGBT switch components.

A comparison of a phase-leg implementations, consisting of two bi-directional AC switches is shown below. The first shows the current implement with standard IGBT and diodes, and the second is IPC’s dual BD-IGBT module implementation.

Successful development of the bi-directional silicon IGBT modules will further improve the competitive advantage that IPC’s topology offers in weight, cost, and efficiency over competing topologies.

IPC Repairs 20 Year Old PV Installation
- NBC Austin 7, Feb 2012

“IPC’s inverter offers an architecture that we believe will become a standard for commercial scale rooftop systems, the largest segment of the US solar market.”

- Roger Jennings, General Manager, Texas Solar Power Company.

“IPC’s current-modulation electronic power converter topology improves cost, efficiency, and reliability. It is one of the most significant advances in power electronics in decades, which is critically required for the clean-energy industry.”

– Dr. Hamid Toliyat, Professor and Director of Electric Machines & Power Electronics Lab, Texas A&M University