This publication has been discontinued on October 11, 2011.
Below is the updated product.
Published: October, 2011
Product code: 217576
Abstract
Photovoltaic Inverters, also known as Solar Inverters, are electrical
inverters that convert Direct Current (DC) generated by a photovoltaic array
into Alternating Current (AC). Photovoltaic inverters are used to provide a
clean reusable energy source for running home appliances or an utility grid.
These inverters are generally classified into Stand-alone, Grid Tied, or
Battery backup inverters. Stand-alone photovoltaic inverters are connected to
electrical networks which do not have any other alternative power source and
draw electricity only from photovoltaic cells. On the other hand, Grid-tied
photovoltaic inverters are connected to the electricity grid. These inverters
produce Alternating Current which matches phase with the utility supplied
sine-wave. Thus, these inverters can be used to sell excess electricity
generated by their photovoltaic array back to the utility grid. The third
type, Battery back-up photovoltaic inverters, are connected to a battery, and
charges the battery to store power, which can be utilized during the night
when solar power is not available.
Energy departments like the US
Department of Energy have initiated programs like the Solar Energy Technology
program to decrease the dependance on hydrocarbon fuels. Under this program,
systems like Solar Energy Grid Integration system are being rapidly adopted,
where smart grids are integrated with PV systems. For such systems, smart
grids are implemented, as they allow two way flow of power and communication.
The Solar Technology program also provides financial assistance to vendors
including PV inverter companies for further system optimization capabilities.
Thus, through intelligent functionality and communication development, smart
grids have been able to increase system performance, economic value, energy
storage, and energy management; thus, driving the market for PV inverters.
With developments in the PV inverter technologies, PV inverters are becoming
more efficient and cost effective. Thus, the large PV inverter companies are
acquiring smaller PV inverter companies to gain access over new technologies.
For instance, SMA Solar Technology, a German solar energy equipment provider,
has recently acquired micro-inverter technology platform from the Dutch
company, OKE Services. This acquisition has helped SMA have a product
portfolio featuring all existing inverter technologies for operating
photovoltaic systems of any size and with optimal technical system
configuration. Further, in early 2010, Colorado based Advanced Energy
Industries, Inc. acquired Oregon based PV Powered, Inc. With this, Advanced
Energy Industries now have access to technology and platform for
transformer-based inverters, with power levels below 500kw for the small to
mid range commercial inverter market. Further, large conglomerates present in
other industries are also entering the rapidly growing PV market. For example,
GE entered the utility scale PV inverter market in late 2009 with its 600 KW
inverter.
This report by TechNavio Insights highlights the scope of the
Global Photovoltaic Inverter market. Further it discusses key market trends,
drivers, growth inhibitors and a few major vendors in the market.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Market Size and Forecast
3. Geographic
Segmentation
3.1.Market Size in Americas
3.2.Market Size in EMEA
3.3.Market Size in APAC
4. Market Trends for Global Photovoltaic
Inverter
5. Market Drivers for Global Photovoltaic Inverter
6. Market
Challenges for Global Photovoltaic Inverter
7. Vendors
8. Related
Reports in this Series
List of Exhibits
Exhibit 2.1: Global
Photovoltaic Inverter Market Size and Forecast 2009-2013 (In $million)
Exhibit 3.1: Global Photovoltaic Inverter Market Segmentation by Geography
- 2009
Exhibit 3.2: Photovoltaic Inverter Market Size in Americas
- 2009-2013 (in $million)
Exhibit 3.3: Photovoltaic Inverter Market Size
in EMEA - 2009-2013 (in $million)
Exhibit 3.4: Photovoltaic Inverter
Market Size in APAC - 2009-2013 (in $million)
