
The demand for energy-efficient, high-performance power supply systems has significantly driven the advancements in wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor technology using gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC). These WBG semiconductors are rapidly gaining traction in the power electronics industry due to their ability to provide superior performance over traditional silicon devices.
This shift is influenced by trends aimed at improving efficiency, reducing system size, and enabling new design possibilities in various high-power and high-frequency applications.
1. Increasing Adoption in Power Supply Design
One of the most notable trends is the rising adoption of WBG semiconductors in power supply systems. GaN and SiC have become essential in high-demand sectors such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy systems, and industrial applications. This trend is driven by the need for higher efficiency, greater power density, and the ability to operate at higher temperatures and switching frequencies. Traditional silicon MOSFETs and IGBTs are gradually being replaced by SiC and GaN, in applications where high efficiency and fast switching are paramount. SiC’s ability to handle high voltages and power levels, and GaN’s proficiency in high-frequency operations, have positioned WBG devices as preferred alternatives in many high-performance power supplies.
2. Cost Reduction and Manufacturing Scalability
Despite their technical superiority, WBG devices have historically been more expensive than their silicon counterparts. However, recent trends indicate a significant push toward reducing manufacturing costs for WBG semiconductors, making them more competitive. SiC wafers, for example, are harder and more expensive to manufacture than silicon wafers, but ongoing advancements in cutting, grinding, and polishing techniques are bringing down costs.
The industry is also making strides in scaling up manufacturing processes. GaN, in particular, benefits from being grown on silicon substrates, allowing manufacturers to leverage existing silicon production infrastructure. This scalability is expected to drive down costs further as more companies invest in large-scale production of GaN and SiC devices, enabling broader market penetration.
3. Integration of WBG Devices into Hybrid Solutions
Another emerging trend is the integration of WBG semiconductors into hybrid solutions, combining SiC or GaN with traditional silicon devices to optimize performance while managing costs. In applications where the benefits of WBG semiconductors are most pronounced—such as high-voltage or high-frequency operations—these devices are paired with silicon components to enhance efficiency and reduce power losses. This hybrid approach allows designers to balance the trade-offs between cost and performance. By incorporating WBG devices into specific sections of a power supply system, engineers can maximize efficiency without incurring the full cost of a completely WBG-based solution.
4. Shift Toward Higher Efficiency Standards
The power electronics industry is seeing a shift towards stricter efficiency standards, particularly in sectors like renewable energy, automotive, and datacenters. WBG semiconductors, known for their superior efficiency, are playing a critical role in meeting these new benchmarks. GaN and SiC devices exhibit lower switching losses and better thermal performance, making them essential for meeting high-efficiency standards set by regulatory bodies.
For instance, in the renewable energy sector, the adoption of SiC-based inverters and converters is rising to meet the efficiency needs of photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage systems. The focus on minimizing power losses at every stage of energy conversion is accelerating the transition from silicon to WBG-based systems, particularly as efficiency regulations become more stringent.
5. GaN’s Expansion in Consumer Electronics
While SiC has dominated higher-power applications, WAWT has witnessed GaN expanding into the consumer electronics sector driven by its high-frequency capabilities and compact size. GaN-based power supply units (PSUs) are becoming increasingly popular in consumer devices such as smartphones, laptops, and other portable electronics, where small form factors and fast charging times are critical.
GaN technology enables higher switching frequencies, allowing for smaller, more efficient power supplies. This trend is expected to continue as manufacturers of consumer electronics seek to offer more compact and energy-efficient chargers and power adapters.
Saying so, Wired & Wireless Technology (WAWT) has witnessed the growing interest in the use of GaN technology in power supply solutions across medical, industrial, lighting, datacentre and other application markets. One is expected to see growth in its adoption in the coming years considering the maturity of the GaN technology as well as other benefits it offers.
6. Push Toward Higher Switching Frequencies
Another major trend in power supply design is the push toward higher switching frequencies, enabled by WBG semiconductors. GaN and SiC devices can operate at frequencies much higher than traditional silicon MOSFETs, which leads to significant reductions in the size and weight of passive components, such as inductors and capacitors. This, in turn, allows for more compact and lighter power supply systems.
In applications such as electric vehicles, solar inverters, and datacenter power supplies, higher switching frequencies improve overall system efficiency and reduce energy losses. This trend is driving designers to increasingly adopt WBG semiconductors as they push the boundaries of power electronics design.
7. Automotive Industry’s Embrace of SiC for Electric Vehicles
The automotive industry has been one of the biggest drivers of the WBG semiconductor market, particularly with the adoption of SiC in electric vehicles (EVs). SiC’s ability to handle higher voltages and current levels, coupled with its high-temperature resilience, makes it ideal for EV powertrains, inverters, and fast-charging systems. Recent trends show a growing number of automotive manufacturers integrating SiC devices into their EV platforms, to improve power efficiency and extend vehicle range. As electric vehicle adoption continues to accelerate, SiC devices are expected to play an increasingly prominent role in shaping the future of automotive power systems.
8. Long-Term Projections for WBG Cost Competitiveness
As demand for WBG semiconductors continues to rise, long-term projections indicate that the cost of GaN and SiC devices will steadily decline, making them more accessible for a broader range of applications. Several factors are contributing to this trend, including advancements in wafer production, increased manufacturing volumes, and further improvements in fabrication technologies.
Industry experts predict that as manufacturing processes mature, the cost gap between WBG semiconductors and traditional silicon devices will narrow, encouraging even more widespread adoption. GaN, in particular, is expected to achieve cost parity with silicon in some applications within the next decade, thanks to its compatibility with existing silicon manufacturing infrastructure.
Conclusion
The adoption of wide-bandgap semiconductors is rapidly gaining momentum across multiple industries as designers seek to enhance efficiency, reduce power losses, and enable compact, high-performance power supply systems. Trends such as cost reduction, hybrid integration, higher switching frequencies, and SiC’s prominence in the automotive sector are driving the evolution of power electronics.
As WBG technology continues to mature and become more cost-effective, it is poised to revolutionize power supply design, particularly in high-efficiency and high-power applications.
About Wired and Wireless Technologies (WAWT)
WAWT (Wired and Wireless Technologies), a strategic technology analyst and consultancy firm, specializes in the wireless power and power supply industry. Its comprehensive research and reports on the power supply industry, titled “AC-DC and DC-DC Merchant Power Supply Market Report” and “External Power Adapters and Chargers Market Report,” offer critical market data, trends, insights, and market intelligence on the power supply industry.
These reports provide the latest market size estimates and forecasts for the power supply market, benefiting companies across the power supply ecosystem. The report analyses the market across various segments: by product; by application sector (including medical, industrial, servers, storage, networking, data centers, telecom, lighting, railways, etc.); by region; by power classes; and by other segments. These reports also include a detailed competitive analysis of power supply vendors, assessing and analysing their market share and ranking position in the market.
WAWT‘s reports are an invaluable resource for businesses seeking to understand the power supply landscape; business and strategic planning; make informed decisions; and stay competitive in this dynamic industry. Please contact our subject matter expert at analyst@wawt.tech to discuss the latest market trends.