IMS Research Report Shows Market Opportunity for Solar Micro-Inverter

Although fifteen companies have attempted to claim a place in the emerging market of solar micro-inverters and DC power optimization, avoiding risks is still a must-do when the market is growing rapidly. According to a report recently released by IMS Research, the market will earn $1.5 billion in profits over the next five years. Meanwhile, equipment shipments will grow at a rate of 100% per year, and the cumulative total will reach 1600 million units. According to the company's forecast, the civilian market will become the main market, and the micro-inverter will provide emergency energy in the event of sun shading and failure of the inverter.

“In a rapidly growing industry like the photovoltaic industry, there are often huge business opportunities. We think there will be a significant increase in the market for micro-inverters and power optimization.” Ash Sharma, Research Director, PV, IMS Research ( Ash Sharma stated, "Although these products will not be used in all types of installations, this photovoltaic market still offers product suppliers tremendous business opportunities."

At present, only one supplier, Enphase Energy, has achieved high-volume shipments in 2009, with a cumulative total of 100,000 micro-inverters.

Sharma also said: "This thriving market will soon be filled with various suppliers, and even the industry leader SMA has its own micro-inverter unit after the acquisition of OKE."

IMS Research stated that civilian and small commercial installations will account for 80% of total shipments. Because the power optimizer cannot replace the large centralized inverter, the power optimizer will occupy a large proportion of applications in large installation equipment.

However, it is predicted that this product will only account for less than 10% of the global PV installations in 2014. This means that either the cost-based consideration of the entire market will cause a boycott or the technology will gradually be Installers and home-use customers accepted the market penetration.