Google Challenge Results In Astoundingly Efficient Inverters

AmiMoJo writes: A few summers ago, Google and IEEE announced a one million dollar prize to build the most efficient and compact DC to AC inverter. It was called the Little Box Challenge, with the goal of a 2kW inverter with a power density greater than 50 Watts per cubic inch. Typical solar inverters have a density of about 5 W/cubic inch. Now the results are in, with the winners hitting 143 W/cubic inch using GaN transistors, and two other teams meeting Google's goal.

Comments

Split phase

[shawn2772]

Another nice improvement the winners made above the requirements was that Google asked for 230 or 240 VAC output, but the winning device provides 240 VAC split phase, which means it can also be used to provide two legs of 120 VAC. Not that it's terribly hard to add a 240 VAC -> 120 VAC transformer, but with this design there's no need.

Re:Efficiency

[AmiMoJo]

Batteries. Current inverters are rather large compared the batteries that can provide their maximum output power.

Electric vehicle charging would benefit from this. You want to be pushing 120kW+ DC into the battery. You can also go back the other way and run your house from the car battery to save money when your solar panels are not producing anything.