Hydrogen electrolyzers rely on high‑performance semiconductors. Optimized architectures with advanced power modules boost efficiency, reduce costs, ensure reliability, and scale sustainable hydrogen.
Green hydrogen, produced through water electrolysis powered by renewable energy, is a critical technology for global decarbonization. Hydrogen electrolyzers require high‑efficiency, high‑reliability power electronics to convert grid or renewable input power into precisely controlled DC current for electrochemical hydrogen production.
onsemi provides system‑level solutions including power semiconductor, sensing, and control products designed for modern hydrogen electrolyzers. They address key electrolyzer architectures, power conversion challenges, and how advanced silicon carbide (SiC) and sensing technologies enable higher efficiency, improved scalability, and lower total cost of ownership (TCO) in green hydrogen production.
Explore our high‑voltage PIMs which deliver high efficiency, power density, and reliability for megawatt‑scale hydrogen electrolysis, reducing system complexity and total cost.
View Products Watch Video
Gate drivers are the interface between control signals and power switches. Discover broad onsemi portfolio for a variety of power switches with advanced features.
Learn More Read Tutorial
The Treo Platform (BCD 65nm) enables the next-generation of power management ICs, sensor interfaces, communications devices and standard products.
Watch Video White Paper
SiC Modules contain SiC MOSFETs and SiC diodes. The boost modules are used in the DC-DC stages of solar inverters. These modules use SiC MOSFETs and SiC diodes with voltage ratings of 1200V.
A Silicon Carbide (SiC) Module is a power module that operates with Silicon Carbide semiconductors for its switch. The purpose of a SiC power module is the transformation of electrical power through switches to improve system efficiency.
The primary function of SiC Modules is to transform electrical power. Silicon Carbide offers an advantage over silicon because, with less resistance to move away from the source (due to increased efficiency), SiC devices can operate at a higher switching frequency. A SiC based system is also more compact and lightweight than a silicon solution, allowing for smaller designs. Therefore, SiC devices are the ideal solution for situations where you want to increase efficiency and improve your thermal management.
Si/SiC Hybrid Modules contain IGBTs, silicon diodes and SiC diodes. They are used in the DC-AC stages of solar inverters, energy storage systems and uninterruptible power supplies.
Hybrid Si/SiC (Silicon/Silicon Carbide) modules are integrated IGBT power modules with high power density. They have lower switching losses than nonhybrid modules, and they can also work at higher temperatures than other types of semiconductors.
Si/SiC hybrid modules have several uses including being used in high-power applications that need low losses. They may also be used in higher temperature environments than comparable Si modules. For systems requiring high-frequency switching, Si/SiC hybrid modules provide better efficiency.
Our SiC MOSFETs are designed to be fast and rugged and include system benefits from high efficiency to reduced system size and cost. MOSFETs are metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors with insulated gates. These silicon carbide MOSFETs have a higher blocking voltage and higher thermal conductivity than silicon MOSFETs, despite having similar design elements. SiC power devices also have a lower state resistance and 10 times the breakdown strength of regular silicon. In general, Systems with SiC MOSFETs have better performance and increased efficiency when compared to MOSFETs made with silicon material.
There are many advantages to choosing SiC MOSFETs over silicon MOSFETs, such as higher switching frequencies. High-temperature development is also not a concern when using SiC MOSFET modules because these devices can operate efficiently even in high heat. Additionally, with SiC MOSFETs, you benefit from a more compact product size because all components (inductors, filters, etc.) are smaller.
Our Silicon Carbide diodes use a completely new technology that provides superior switching performance and higher reliability to silicon.
Many people have been using silicon diodes in their machinery, but there is a new option for those looking for better efficiency. SiC diodes are diodes that allow for higher switching performance. They have greater power density and overall increased efficiency. Their reduced energy loss also helps to lower system costs.
Compared to silicon diodes, silicon carbide diodes are more efficient and resistant to high temperatures. They work at high frequencies and higher voltages. Since SiC diodes have faster recovery times than silicon diodes, they're ideal for any kind of current that requires a quick transition from blocking to conducting stages. They also don't get as hot as silicon, allowing them to be used in higher-temperature applications with more efficiency.
Explore the BESS Solution Guide, featuring high‑efficiency, scalable power and sensing solutions for AC‑ and DC‑coupled energy storage, with seamless integration into hydrogen systems.
Explore the latest IGBT module innovations designed for renewable energy systems and watch the webinar showcasing how onsemi delivers high-efficiency, reliable power solutions.
Design Resources
Tools and resources for your evaluation process.
Utilize our PRT+ tool to identify the ideal product for you.
Explore tailored components and insights for your application.
Buy and validate the performance of chosen components.
Power electronics directly determine electrolyzer efficiency, reliability, and operating cost by converting AC or DC input power into tightly regulated DC current for the electrolyzer stack. High‑performance rectifiers and DC‑DC converters enable fast load response, reduced losses, improved thermal management, and scalable system architectures for megawatt‑class hydrogen production.
Common architectures include a single rectifier per stack or a central rectifier with DC‑DC converters per stack. Distributed rectifiers provide independent control and higher fault tolerance, while centralized rectifiers reduce cost per kilowatt and improve efficiency at large scale. The choice depends on power level, redundancy needs, and operational flexibility.
High‑power electrolyzers commonly use active front‑end (AFE), Vienna, or advanced neutral‑point‑clamped (NPC) rectifier topologies. These architectures improve power factor, reduce harmonic distortion, and provide precise DC bus control, which is essential for grid‑connected and renewable‑integrated hydrogen production systems.
Modular power designs simplify installation, maintenance, and capacity expansion by allowing systems to scale from kilowatts to megawatts. Modular rectifiers, DC‑DC converters, and power modules improve redundancy, reduce downtime, and lower total cost of ownership (TCO), especially in utility‑scale or rapidly deployed hydrogen infrastructure projects.
Electrolyzers increasingly operate alongside renewable generation and battery storage to optimize hydrogen production based on power availability and cost. Advanced control and fast‑response power electronics enable dynamic operation, grid balancing, and efficient energy storage, making electrolyzers a key component of future low‑carbon energy systems.
Worth Your Time
Discover curated articles brimming with innovative insights and industry trends.
Related Videos
Let's keep going – watch these videos for deeper dives and fresh perspectives.
Support and Community
If you're interested to learn about any onsemi technology, search for related articles in Help library.
