In one line
Wide-bandgap semiconductor used in solar inverters and power electronics, offering higher switching frequencies than silicon or SiC.
What it means
Gallium Nitride (GaN) is a wide-bandgap semiconductor enabling higher switching frequencies (MHz range vs kHz for silicon IGBT) and smaller passive components in power electronics. GaN penetrated residential microinverters and EV chargers first; utility inverters remained dominated by SiC and silicon IGBT through 2026. The trade-off: GaN delivers higher efficiency and smaller form factors at higher per-watt component cost.
Related terms
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