01 November 2011
IDC Energy Insights announced today the availability of a new IDC MarketScape report designed to help installers of residential photovoltaic (PV) systems evaluate inverter technologies and make informed decisions about which vendors to avoid and which to engage.
This comprehensive study, IDC MarketScape: North American Residential Solar Inverter Market, 2011 (Doc #EI230799), evaluates inverters for the North American market, providing a side-by-side comparison that emphasises installer feedback. Key vendors featured include: Enphase Energy, Fronius, Schneider Electric (Xantrex), SMA, SolarEdge and Solectria Renewables.
Designed to provide a framework to compare key performance metrics between string inverters, microinverters and string inverter/DC optimiser solutions, the new MarketScape report also provides recommendations on the different approaches to inverter vendor selection based on various circumstances faced by installers serving the residential solar inverter market.
According to the new report, standard string inverters are becoming commoditised, with the cost leader gaining market share. However, vendors with innovative products, such as microinverters, are also gaining traction in the market, particularly for installations with partial shading or where panels are installed with multiple orientations. Installers must keep on top of the latest technological trends to remain competitive in this growing industry or they will risk being left behind.
IDC MarketScape criteria selection, weightings and vendor scores represent well researched IDC judgment about the market and specific vendors. IDC analysts tailor the range of standard characteristics by which vendors are measured through structured discussions, surveys and interviews with market leaders, participants and end users. Market weightings are based on user interviews, buyer surveys and the input of a review board of IDC experts in each market. IDC analysts base individual vendor scores and ultimately vendor positions within the IDC MarketScape on detailed surveys and interviews with the vendors, publicly available information and end-user experiences. This represents an effort to provide an accurate and consistent assessment of each vendor's characteristics, behaviour and capability.
Solar installers interested in the report's findings can receive a complimentary copy by participating in the ASES/IDC Energy Insights Panel of North American PV Installers.
