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

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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.

Policy

Google Plays U.S.-China Matchmaker

Google.org is giving $250,000 to the U.S. National Academies to fund a study on how the United States and China can collaborate on solar and wind energy generation, energy storage and grid tech.

Solar
Ucilia Wang October 21, 2008
Q&A: Will U.S. Become a Solar World?

As German solar manufacturer SolarWorld opens a solar-cell factory in Oregon, COO Boris Klebensberger talks about the economy, competition and the right solar policy for the United States.

Solar
Jennifer Kho October 17, 2008
Utilities to Hit Solar Scene

Earlier this month, utilities became eligible to participate in federal renewable-energy tax credits. Solar companies at the Solar Power International conference consider how this could impact them.

Solar
Jennifer Kho October 16, 2008
Tax Credits Cause Residential-Solar Slowdown?

UPDATED 4:40 PM: New residential-solar incentives, which take effect Jan. 1, are slowing down installations in some places as customers put projects on hold to wait for bigger incentives.

Solar
Jennifer Kho October 16, 2008
Tax Credits Meet Financial Meltdown

First Solar CEO Michael Ahearn and other solar industry executives at Solar Power International say tax credits alone won't be enough to win over customers, particularly in a slumping economy.

Solar
Ucilia Wang October 15, 2008
Gainesville Considers German Solar Tariff

In a move that would emulate Germany's feed-in tariff, a utility in Gainesville, Fla., could become the first to pay residents and businesses for solar power.

Solar
Jennifer Kho October 14, 2008
Schwarzenegger: Solar Can't Be Stopped

At the Solar Power International conference in San Diego, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says it's important to focus on solar and the environment in a difficult economy.

Solar
Jennifer Kho October 13, 2008
1366 CEO Lays Out Strategy, Funding Plans

The silicon solar module maker from MIT says it will seek $50 million for a 25-to 30-megawatt plant after the U.S. presidential election.

Solar
Michael Kanellos 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
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
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
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
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
Berkeley Set to Vote on Solar Financing

The city plans to create a special tax district to buy solar-power systems for its residents and businesses, which would pay the city back through property taxes.

Solar
Ucilia Wang September 16, 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
Spanish Energy Commission Votes to Shrink Solar Incentives

Spain's national energy commission has approved a new set of rules that could reduce the size of a popular solar-incentives program, if they are approved by the parliament and prime minister.

Solar
Ucilia Wang July 30, 2008
California Cities to Offer Solar Loan Program

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger enacts legislation that allows cities to finance solar installations on the roofs of privately owned homes and businesses.

Solar
Rachel Barron July 23, 2008
No Tax Credit, No Solar Power

Abengoa Solar could halt two projects if the U.S. government doesn't extend multiyear investment tax credits.

Solar
Rachel Barron July 14, 2008
Spanish Solar Group: Don't Change Feed-In Tariffs

A newly formed industry group has asked the government to keep the current subsidies, which have turned the country into a booming solar market.

Solar
Ucilia Wang July 9, 2008

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GTM Ten »

GTM Poll »

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.

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.

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