Overview
The LVSolarBuck is a 3-level buck converter using Infineon’s latest GaN FET technology with active flying capacitor control. It functions as a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solar charger for our 48VDC ecosystem.
What Makes It Different
No existing reference design or comparable product uses this topology at this power level. This is original design work, not a copy of an application note. The 3-level approach reduces voltage stress on components and enables higher switching frequencies with lower losses.
Current Status
The power stage has run at its designed maximum for the first time: 45A into the 48V bus (roughly 2.2kW continuous) at 97.36% efficiency, measured at the worst-case 120V input operating point. Read the full write-up in the full-power milestone post. That was a controlled power-stage test sourced from a lab supply; MPPT operation against a real panel characteristic is the next milestone, using our automated test bench.
The design files live in the LVSolarBuck repository on our Gitea. The repository is still private while the design matures and will be opened up for publication. The preliminary license is CERN-OHL-S-2.0.