Semiconductor inverters for power processing

Flexibility in the application of energy conversion devices may be greatly enhanced by using semiconductor inverters to obtain ac voltages and/or multilevel or high voltage dc. But, design of semiconductor inverters to operate efficiently from the low voltage, high current output of such energy sources as fuel cells, sea cells and single-cell batteries requires careful consideration of semiconductor parameters and their effect upon inverter performance. Comparative advantages and limitations are presented for SCR´s, tunnel diodes and transistors as inverter devices. Important device characteristics and their relation to inverter performance are summarized.