Silicon Carbide (SiC) is a wide-bandgap semiconductor that operates at higher voltages and temperatures than conventional silicon, with far lower energy losses. According to Infineon’s Peter, SiC is now actively deployed in electric vehicles, renewable energy inverters, and industrial power systems, where every efficiency gain scales into major savings across grids and charging networks.
Peter began by explaining that power electronics are fundamentally about moving energy around: from the point of generation to the point of consumption, and in the configuration required. That might mean stepping high-voltage electricity down to low-voltage for everyday use, or converting renewable energy into a form that the grid and devices can use. From massive power plants down to homes, cities, and industries, this is the unseen infrastructure that keeps everything running.
But the technology landscape is shifting. As Peter highlighted, traditional silicon semiconductors have reached their limits in terms of efficiency. This is where
SiC, a wide-bandgap material, becomes central. Unlike conventional silicon, SiC can operate at higher voltages, higher temperatures, and with far lower losses. That translates directly into greater efficiency, smaller components, and reduced energy waste.
Why Does Silicon Carbide Matter for Energy?
Silicon Carbide matters because it solves the core limitation of traditional silicon: efficiency at high power levels. According to Infineon’s Peter, SiC reduces power losses in electric vehicles, improves inverter efficiency in solar and wind systems, and cuts wasted energy in industrial motors and drives. These gains compound when applied across grids, charging networks, and plants.
Silicon vs. Silicon Carbide: Which Is Used Where?
Silicon and Silicon Carbide will coexist in power electronics, each serving different applications. As Infineon’s Peter explained, SiC is the preferred choice where high performance and efficiency justify its higher cost, particularly in high-power applications. Traditional silicon remains in use where those performance thresholds do not apply. The shift toward SiC in demanding applications is an established trend, not a future possibility.
Power Electronics and the Role of SiC Today
Power electronics, the infrastructure that moves electricity from generation to consumption, sits at the center of the energy transition. Infineon’s Peter describes SiC as one of the key technologies making it possible to move energy efficiently, safely, and sustainably, from large power plants down to homes, cities, and industrial facilities.
This interview was recorded by Kevin O’Donovan, a member of IIoT World’s Board of Advisors.
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FAQ
1. What is Silicon Carbide and why is it used in power electronics?
Silicon Carbide (SiC) is a wide-bandgap semiconductor material that can operate at higher voltages and higher temperatures than conventional silicon, while producing far lower energy losses. In power electronics, which move electricity from generation to consumption, SiC translates these properties into greater efficiency, smaller components, and reduced energy waste across grids, industrial plants, and charging networks.
2. How does Silicon Carbide improve electric vehicle performance?
In electric vehicles, Silicon Carbide reduces power losses in the inverter and charging system. According to Infineon, this reduction in losses directly supports faster charging speeds and longer driving range. SiC achieves this by handling higher voltages and temperatures more efficiently than traditional silicon semiconductors, making it a preferred material in high-performance EV power systems.
3. Silicon Carbide vs. silicon: what is the difference in power applications?
Traditional silicon semiconductors have reached efficiency limits in high-power applications. Silicon Carbide operates at higher voltages and temperatures with lower losses, making it better suited for demanding uses such as EV inverters, renewable energy systems, and industrial drives. Both materials will continue to be used, with SiC preferred where performance and efficiency gains justify its higher cost, as explained by Infineon’s Peter.
4. Where is Silicon Carbide used in renewable energy systems?
Silicon Carbide is used in the inverters that convert renewable energy from solar and wind installations into a form usable by the grid and end devices. According to Infineon’s Peter, SiC improves inverter efficiency in these systems, making solar and wind power integration more cost-effective. Higher efficiency at the inverter level means less energy is lost between generation and consumption.
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