Key Takeaways:
- Innovative Collaboration: Navitas Semiconductor’s GaNFast™ IC technology has been adopted by Virtual Forest for a new three hp solar-powered irrigation pump.
- Enhanced Efficiency and Power: The pump utilizes advanced GaNSense™ half-bridge power ICs for significant energy savings and high efficiency.
- Sustainable Agricultural Solutions: This technology enables robust, zero-emission irrigation, helping to combat food insecurity and reduce carbon emissions in agriculture.
- Market Potential: The collaboration taps into India’s growing solar pump market, projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2026, reflecting a significant shift towards sustainable agricultural practices.
- Technological Advantages: Navitas’ technology ensures a low component count and a fast time-to-market, which is critical for meeting rising demand.
Introduction to the Collaboration
Navitas Semiconductor is recognized as a pioneering force in power IC technologies, and Virtual Forest, a leading Indian electronics design firm, has partnered to revolutionize solar-powered irrigation systems. This collaboration focuses on deploying Navitas’ next-generation GaNFast™ power integrated circuits (ICs) to enhance the efficiency of a powerful three hp solar irrigation pump.
Addressing a Critical Need
For numerous farmers globally, irrigating fields efficiently remains challenging, particularly in remote areas where traditional solutions involve noisy diesel generators or extensive, inefficient electrical setups. Virtual Forest’s implementation of Navitas’ technology in their solar pumps presents a clean, energy-efficient solution that significantly reduces operational costs and environmental impact.
Core Technology: GaNFast™ and GaNSense™ ICs
The 3 hp pump is equipped with Navitas’ GaNSense™ half-bridge power ICs, which integrate two GaN power FETs with drivers, level-shifters, and protective features into a monolithic structure. These ICs are housed in compact 8×10 mm QFN packages, facilitating their integration into a 3-phase motor inverter. This setup trims down power consumption and enhances overall system efficiency by three to five times compared to traditional silicon IGBTs.
System Performance and Capabilities
The solar pump features maximum power point tracking (MPPT), optimizing solar energy conversion to maximize water output. It can deliver over 50 gallons per minute to a height of 90 feet, sufficient to irrigate three acres of farmland. Enhanced with quad-band IoT connectivity, the pump allows for remote management and intelligent analytics, ensuring optimal water usage and minimal groundwater depletion.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Omer Basith, CEO of Virtual Forest, highlighted the economic and ecological benefits: “The solar pump market in India is rapidly expanding, and with Navitas’ high-power, efficient solutions, we aim to deliver robust, off-grid systems that address both food insecurity and energy inefficiency. Our goal is to drive significant reductions in carbon emissions, in line with our vision of a ‘Virtual Forest’.”
Alessandro Squeri, Senior Sales Director at Navitas, noted the swift integration of their ICs by Virtual Forest’s design team, emphasizing the fast time-to-market and the durability of the design in tough environmental conditions.
Image provided by Navitas
