1、 Photovoltaic companies enter silicon carbide: with inherent "technology and resource endowment"
Background driven:
The photovoltaic industry is undergoing a deep adjustment cycle, with prices of silicon materials, solar cells, and modules generally falling, project construction progress slowing down, and overseas expansion accelerating, posing multiple challenges to enterprises. In this context, seeking new growth points for performance has become an urgent task. Some links in the SiC industry chain are naturally coupled with photovoltaics, providing a feasible path for "transformation".
Extended compatibility of raw material system
One of the basic raw materials of silicon carbide is high-purity silicon powder and carbon source, which have been widely used in photovoltaics. Photovoltaic companies with the ability to purify raw materials and process powders, such as Tongwei Group and Hesheng Silicon Industry, can quickly migrate related capabilities to the SiC crystal synthesis end, shortening the development cycle.
Tongwei Microelectronics: Complete the full process technology layout from powder synthesis to substrate processing for 6-inch and 8-inch conductive SiC substrates within three years.
Hesheng Silicon Industry: Breaking through the key processes of the entire SiC industry chain (including epitaxy), achieving mass production of 6-inch substrates, with a crystal yield rate of 95% and a stable epitaxy yield rate of over 98%.
Capability migration of equipment system
Although photovoltaic silicon wafers and SiC wafers differ in terms of thermal field structure and atmosphere control, there is a high degree of overlap in "cold end" processing techniques such as slicing, grinding, and polishing, which gives photovoltaic equipment manufacturers a cross-border advantage.
Liancheng CNC: Develop and mass produce a silicon carbide liquid phase method crystal growth furnace in 2023, and release a new generation of 8-inch crystal growth furnace in 2024;
Gaoce Co., Ltd.: Developed a specialized silicon carbide slicer, which will achieve mass sales upon its launch in 2022, and will launch a SiC chamfering machine in 2024;
Hongyuan Green Energy and Maiwei Co., Ltd. have independently developed slicing machines, grinding equipment, and laser modified cutting systems to quickly enter the SiC equipment supply chain.
2、 Automotive companies layout SiC: upward integration to master core components
Background driven:
Silicon carbide power devices, especially SiC MOSFETs, have become the core components of 800V high-voltage platforms, fast charging systems, and electric drive systems. Self developed SiC devices by automotive companies are expected to reduce BOM costs, improve vehicle efficiency, and eliminate external dependence.
BYD: Full stack self-developed, industry pioneer
BYD began mass producing self-developed SiC MOSFETs in its vehicle models in 2018, and released a 1500V voltage level automotive grade chip in 2025, building a vertically integrated system from epitaxial to chip to packaging module. BYD Semiconductor has deep cooperation with SiC substrate companies such as Tianyue Advanced, forming a collaborative ecosystem.
Geely Automobile: Joint venture+merger and acquisition dual track approach
Geely has collaborated with SiC leaders such as STMicroelectronics and ROHM, and has also established its own companies such as Xinyue Energy and Jingneng Microelectronics, covering the entire process from design, manufacturing to testing. The * * "Hybrid Drive Integrated SiC Module" * * technology on its 800V platform achieves a 75% reduction in SiC usage and higher efficiency.
Ideal car: Quickly achieve vertical connectivity
In 2025, Ideal announced that its self-developed SiC power chips have been installed and mass-produced with power modules and electric drive assemblies, completing the layout of design, packaging, and system level applications, emphasizing the value of high-performance drive modules in the core competitiveness of intelligent electric vehicles.
3、 Home appliance companies test SiC: a new testing ground for the consumer market
Background driven:
With the trend of miniaturization, high frequency, and high efficiency of power devices, SiC has gradually entered the fields of medium voltage household appliances, variable frequency controllers, compressors, etc., opening up new technological windows for white goods enterprises.
Gree Electric: Establish a complete process platform for SBD and MOS chips to achieve internal batch application.
Hisense, Midea, and Haier have respectively collaborated with Tianyue Advanced and Sanan Integrated to promote the pilot application and transformation of SiC devices in areas such as elevators, motors, heat pumps, and air conditioning.
TCL: Visited Jingchi Electromechanical in 2024 to discuss personalized epitaxial equipment and substrate preparation solutions.
4、 Summary: Cross border entry accelerates the integration of SiC industry chain
The silicon carbide industry is undergoing a transition from material driven to system collaborative:
Photovoltaic enterprises bring synergy between raw materials, crystals, and processing;
Automobile companies promote system level verification and large-scale application of scenarios;
Home appliance companies explore the possibility of scaling up the medium and low voltage consumer market.
The future SiC race track is no longer an arena for single point technological breakthroughs, but a value network for cross industry collaborative innovation. Whoever can achieve deeper integration and closed-loop between materials, equipment, devices, systems, and applications will occupy the strategic high ground in this third-generation semiconductor revolution.
