Date: 27th Aug 2010
IMS: Solar microinverters and DC/DC power
optimizers' revenue to reach $1.5 billion in the next 5 years
IMS Research in its recently released report on the rapidly
emerging markets has estimated the solar microinverters
and DC-DC power optimizers revenue to be over $1.5 billion
over the next five years. The device shipments are forecast
to grow by over 100% per year and will total more than 16
million in the same period. Even though the shipments are
forecast to grow by over 100% per year, The microinverters
and power optimizers are forecast to be utilized in less
than 10% of the global PV installations in 2014.
Both microinverters and power optimizers are possible solutions
for PV installations that suffer from shading or orientation
problems, which is where IMS Research predicts they will
see greatest uptake. However other possible advantages include
the enhanced monitoring and communications, simpler installation,
higher energy yields, and increased reliability by removing
the single failure point of a central inverter.
IMS Research predicts that the devices will be most successful
in residential and small commercial installations accounting
for more than 80% of shipments. Only power optimizers will
be taken up in quantity in larger installations as they
do not eliminate the large centralized inverter, which would
be essential for large-scale projects.
IMS Research's Photovoltaics Research Director Ash Sharma
commented "With any industry growing as rapidly as
photovoltaics, there are huge opportunities available; we
predict very rapid growth in the market for microinverters
and power optimizers. Although we don't see them being used
in every installation type, the PV market still offers substantial
opportunity for growth for suppliers of the products".
"Although last year there was only one supplier shipping
any significant volume - Enphase Energy - that is all about
to change; soon more than a dozen suppliers will be serving
the growing market and even market leader SMA now has a
microinverter platform following its acquisition of OKE"
Sharma added.
Enphase Energy is currently the only supplier shipping
significant volumes of microinverters; however IMS Research
identified around 15 suppliers set to enter the market.
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