Enphase is a global leader in microinverters. In 2026, it released its first GaN-based microinverter, reducing weight by 25% and volume by 35%. Specific innovations come out in Enphase’s GaN microinverter patents and suggest more radical changes lie ahead, for even more power dense microinverters based on novel cycloconverter topologies. But does this confer any kind of edge for Enphase in developing the down-converters for larger future AI racks?
Enphase was founded in 2006, is listed on NYSE, and is the global leader in microinverters that convert the DC output from individual solar modules into usable AC electricity, with c40% market share.
In early-2026, Enphase started shipping its first GaN-based inverter, in the IQ9 range. It has 25% lower weight and 35% lower volume than the IQ8 series, as the 2-4x faster-switching of GaN transistors allows for a smaller transformer and other passive components within the microinverter, while preserving high, 97.5% efficiency.
GaN-based power conversion is going to be crucial for unlocking larger chip-sets for the scale-up of AI, such as NVIDIA’s famous 800V ambitions. Hence could Enphase’s experience in GaN-based power inversion and bidirectional power conversion provide some kind of edge?
To investigate this idea, we reviewed a dozen of Enphase’s patents, which seemed most relevant to GaN and to data-centers. Our conclusions are in the data-file, looking at both sides of the argument, and the progress of competitors.
IQ9 is likely just the start of Enphase developing GaN-based architectures. We think this because most of its GaN patents are for HEMT cycloconverters, which would represent an interesting shift in microinverter topologies, stepping up the voltage via a high-frequency converter, then down-converting the frequency in a single stage without DC rectification. Where we have seen others design/develop these kinds of cycloconverters, they enable materially higher power density again (chart below).
Overall we can see evidence of Enphase overcoming specific challenges in order to commercialize GaN-based power converters, mainly microinverters and bidirectional inverters based on GaN cycloconverters. But we did not find evidence in this patent library to de-risk an edge over other power electronics developers in GaN-based data center converters.