GaN MPPT Controller And Optimizer Reference Design

Ideal for small to medium-power applications, it features GaN FET technology, delivering up to 98.8% efficiency, a compact form factor, and robust protections.

A Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solar charge controller is a critical component for efficient solar energy management. This reference design caters to small and medium-power solar charger applications, making it ideal for solar charge controllers and power optimizers used in residential, commercial, or portable solar systems. Targeted at designers and engineers, it offers a versatile solution capable of operating with 15V to 60V solar panel modules and supporting 12V or 24V batteries. With a compact form factor and high efficiency, this design is suitable for systems requiring up to 16A output current.

The reference design TIDA-010042 by Texas Instruments (TI) utilizes a buck converter to step down the solar panel voltage to the battery voltage. It features a half-bridge TI gallium nitride (GaN) power stage with integrated drivers controlled by an MSPM0G1506 microcontroller unit (MCU). The MCU employs the perturb-and-observe algorithm to dynamically identify the maximum power point, ensuring optimal energy extraction from the solar panels. The design achieves impressive efficiency levels of 98.5% for 12V systems and 98.8% for 24V systems, thanks to the GaN FETs with low RDS(on), reduced switching losses, and zero reverse recovery charge. The high switching frequency of up to 250 kHz enables the use of compact passive components, reducing overall design size.

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This MPPT solar charge controller incorporates multiple protections to enhance reliability, including reverse battery polarity, overcharge, over-discharge, and system overtemperature protection. Additionally, the controller includes programmable alarms and indications, along with surge and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, making it robust for various environmental conditions. Its small board size (83mm × 82mm × 26mm) further simplifies integration into compact systems.

Key features of this design include a wide input voltage range (15V to 60V), flexible compatibility with 12V and 24V batteries, and support for high output currents up to 16A. Applications range from solar charge controllers for residential or off-grid systems to solar power optimizers that maximize energy harvesting in small and medium-scale setups.

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TI has thoroughly tested this reference design, ensuring its reliability and performance. The design package includes a bill of materials (BOM), schematics, assembly drawings, and printed circuit board (PCB) layouts, along with additional resources available on the TI website. This comprehensive support enables quick adoption and customization, making it an invaluable resource for engineers and designers in the solar energy sector. To explore further details, click here.