SolarEdge and Infineon Technologies have extended their collaboration to develop solid-state circuit breaker technology for 800 VDC AI and hyperscale data centres. The partners are targeting a key safety requirement in high-voltage direct current distribution, isolating electrical faults rapidly while preserving efficient operation. SolarEdge is designing the solid-state circuit breaker solution, while Infineon is providing silicon carbide JFET technology for the protection devices. The work builds on their solid-state transformer platform, designed to convert medium-voltage electricity from 13.8 to 34.5 kV directly to 800 to 1,500 VDC at over 99% efficiency. Together, the companies are pursuing a more compact grid-to-rack power architecture for increasingly dense AI computing infrastructure.

Protection For Direct Current Systems

AI data centres require substantial and dependable power delivery, while growing compute density is pushing operators towards higher-voltage DC distribution. This changes the requirements for circuit protection. In conventional AC systems, current naturally reaches zero during each cycle, helping mechanical breakers interrupt a fault. DC systems do not offer that same natural interruption point, making arcing a central engineering consideration.

SolarEdge and Infineon’s proposed solid-state circuit breakers are designed to interrupt DC faults within a few microseconds. Without mechanical contacts to separate, the technology is intended to offer a faster protection response than electromechanical alternatives, helping to safeguard high-value computing equipment while supporting compact distribution designs.

Shuki Nir, Chief Executive Officer of SolarEdge, said:

“High-density AI infrastructure at 800 VDC demands uncompromising efficiency and protection”

Shuki Nir, Chief Executive Officer of SolarEdge, said:

“Solid-state protection will enable operators to achieve both, delivering ultra-fast and dependable fault isolation without sacrificing conversion performance. Infineon’s silicon carbide technology is what makes it practical at scale.”

From Grid Connection To Rack

The extension focuses on the distribution layer between a solid-state transformer and the compute rack. It forms part of a wider DC-native power chain that SolarEdge is developing for AI factories, carrying electricity from the medium-voltage grid connection through conversion, distribution and protection.

The partners’ solid-state transformer platform was first announced in November 2025. It is designed to combine several conversion stages into a single solution, reducing physical footprint while enabling direct conversion to high-voltage DC. The latest work brings protection devices into that architecture, addressing the point between conversion equipment and the compute rack.

For data centre operators, the intended outcome is a system that combines higher density with rapid fault isolation. Infineon’s CoolSiC™ JFET devices are intended to provide efficient operation and robustness within the protection devices, while the circuit breaker design addresses the operating characteristics of DC power.

Silicon Carbide At The Core

Silicon carbide is central to the collaboration’s technical direction. Infineon is supplying its SiC JFET technology for the SSCB devices, while its wider portfolio includes silicon, silicon carbide and gallium nitride solutions. The companies position these technologies as a foundation for reducing losses across AI data centre power infrastructure.

The partnership also reflects a broader effort to manage the energy and equipment demands associated with dense computing installations. By reducing conversion stages and supporting high-voltage DC distribution, the proposed architecture is intended to improve total cost of ownership and reduce environmental impact.

Andreas Weisl, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer of Industrial & Infrastructure at Infineon, said:

“Today’s data infrastructures have become more vulnerable to electrical faults, thereby driving the demand for smarter, faster and more robust power distribution systems,”

Andreas Weisl, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer of Industrial & Infrastructure at Infineon, said:

“By combining our advanced silicon carbide JFET technology with SolarEdge’s expertise in final power distribution, we are addressing these demands to ensure fast, safe and reliable operations in AI data centers.”

A More Efficient Data Centre Architecture

SolarEdge brings more than 20 years of experience in DC-coupled power electronics to the project, while Infineon contributes semiconductor technology for power systems. Their continued collaboration points to the practical importance of protection equipment as data centre power architectures shift towards 800 VDC.

The work remains focused on technology development, including the performance, reliability, commercial availability and adoption of SolarEdge’s DC powertrain and associated AI data centre products. Still, the combination of direct medium-voltage conversion, high-voltage distribution and solid-state protection presents a focused route towards more efficient and resilient power delivery for AI infrastructure.