April 20, 2025 
Professional magazine and portal dedicated to electronics 
Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC), the world leader in enhancement-mode gallium nitride (eGaN®) power devices, proudly announces the launch of the EPC9178, the latest reference design for photovoltaic (PV) optimizers. Designed to deliver high reliability while addressing critical challenges in energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness through the reduction of passive components in solar energy systems, the EPC9178 demonstrates the transformative potential of GaN technology for renewable energy solutions.
The EPC9178 reference design employs a back-to-back buck-boost converter topology, ensuring optimal energy harvesting for each solar panel, even under challenging conditions such as shading. This compact, high-performance solution bridges the gap between micro-inverters and string inverters, offering enhanced energy efficiency and compatibility with existing infrastructure.
The EPC9178 evaluation boards are priced at $480.00. The EPC2306 is priced at $1.87/ea in 3Ku reels (more info).
