Growth, Market Share and Dynamic Change in The PV Inverter Industry

The PV inverter market, once short of innovation, has seen a surge of investment in the last few years. Spurred by startup advances, established firms like SMA, Satcon, and National Semiconductor are developing new distributed PV electronics technologies in-house or through acquisition. This Special Report from Greentech Media, sponsored by Enphase Energy, takes a look at the state of innovation in the inverter market, VC investment activity, and the emerging leaders in the $2.4 billion PV inverter market.

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As the price of PV falls, the technology will become more competitively priced in Europe and the U.S. before its prices are competitive in China.

CPV: New Applications and Emerging Markets
November 16, 2009

Hot Startup »

Solar Startup Solasta Seeks Next Round

The solar firm was founded in 2006 with A round funding from Kleiner Perkins and claims its process could increase the efficiency of conventional amorphous silicon PV by up to 150 percent.

Projects

Funding Roundup: 1366 Tech Looks for $50M

Raising money will be tough for startups and public companies, and the greentech world could see "big-name cleantech startups implode" in a depressed economy.

Solar
Ucilia Wang October 13, 2008
U.S. to Attract More Foreign Greentech Investments

Delegations from Germany and Spain are meeting with officials, utilities and renewable-energy businesses in California, Oregon and Nevada to scout out new technologies and development deals in solar, wind and geothermal.

Solar
Ucilia Wang October 6, 2008
Moser Baer India Signs $500M in Thin-Film Contracts

In another move to bring amorphous-silicon solar panels to significance, the company says it has orders to deliver its films to European integrators through 2012.

Solar
Jennifer Kho October 2, 2008
Suntech Buys EI Solutions, Teams Up With MMA

Solar-panel maker Suntech Power is getting into the solar-power financing and project-management business with the purchase of solar installer EI Solutions and by starting a joint venture with MMA Renewable Ventures.

Solar
Ucilia Wang October 2, 2008
SF Solar Incentives Boost New Installations

City sees solar applications nearly quadruple in first three months of landmark program. But while the program is popular with residents, only six businesses have signed up so far.

Solar
Jeff St. John October 1, 2008
Ausra Bags $60.6M to Finish Plant

The California solar-thermal developer plans to use part of the money it has raised to complete a 5-megawatt power plant.

Solar
Ucilia Wang October 1, 2008
SF Mayor Says Solar Program Lags Expectations

Mayor Gavin Newsom wants to encourage 1,600 businesses to install solar power systems over the next decade, and the city hopes to set up an electric-car charging network.

Solar
Jeff St. John September 30, 2008
Cool Earth Breaks Ground on Prototype Plant

The Livermore, Calif.-based company says it has broken ground on its first pilot plant and plans to build commercial plants starting next year.

Solar
Jennifer Kho September 30, 2008
Solar Roundup: Tax Credits Remain in Limbo, Solar Raises Millions

While Congress debates over tax credits for solar, wind and other renewable energy projects, public and private solar companies have continued to attract investments.

Solar
Ucilia Wang September 29, 2008
SunPower Class B Shares Ready to Rise?

SunPower's Class B shares have started to hit the market, and they're trading at a lower price than the regular Class A shares – even though they come with more voting power.

Solar
Jennifer Kho September 26, 2008
Spain Approves 500MW for Solar

The country's cabinet has approved a higher cap for solar installations – and also voted for a smaller reduction in feed-in tariffs – than the government had initially proposed.

Solar
Ucilia Wang September 26, 2008
Newly Formed CPV Consortium to Set Standards

A handful of companies installing a 3-megawatt project for the Institute of Concentration Photovoltaic Systems in Spain have formed a new industry association. One of its first goals is to draw up standards for measuring the performance of their systems.

Solar
Jennifer Kho September 25, 2008
SolFocus Completes Spanish Project, Eyes California

The Mountain View, Calif.-based company will turn on its first commercial installation in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, it's got its eyes on a third funding round, manufacturing growth and a new project in the Golden State.

Solar
Jennifer Kho September 24, 2008
Berkeley to Launch Solar Financing Program

The California city is set to begin a $1.5 million program that allows property owners to finance solar power systems through their property taxes.

Solar
Ucilia Wang September 24, 2008
Spain Considers 500MW Solar Cap

The country will consider a 500-megawatt cap for 2009 as part of its lucrative solar incentive program, a sharp increase from previously proposed 300 megawatts.

Solar
Ucilia Wang September 24, 2008
SolarReserve Raises $140M for Solar-Thermal Projects

The Santa Monica, Calif.-based company raises cash to develop plants that make electricity from the sun's heat, while Platina Partners closes 128 million in debt financing, Suntech breaks ground on a new solar-cell factory.

Solar
Jennifer Kho September 16, 2008
Signet to Start Thin-Film Solar Production

The company expects to be the first to ship customers thin-film panels made using Applied Materials' prefabricated thin-film line.

Solar
Rachel Barron September 12, 2008
Spanish Incentive Speculation Increases

Cotizalia, a Spanish financial Website, reports that companies expect an incentive cap of 400 to 450 megawatts annually, up from a proposal to reduce the cap from 400 to 300 megawatts annually.

Solar
Jennifer Kho September 4, 2008
Thou Shalt Install Solar

An Indiana Amish community and Pope Benedict XVI are among the religious turning to technology to harness the power of sun and wind.

Solar
Rachel Barron September 3, 2008
Masdar Breaks Ground on $230M Solar Factory

The Abu Dhabi-based investment company is building a thin-film solar plant in Germany as part of its $2 billion effort to become a leader in the business.

Solar
Ucilia Wang August 21, 2008