Market Trends of Europe Solar PV Inverters Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Europe Solar PV Inverters Market according to our research experts:
Central Inverters Expected to Dominate the Market
- A central inverter is a large grid feeder. It is often used in solar photovoltaic systems with rated outputs over 100 kWp. Typically, floor or ground-mounted inverters convert DC power collected from a solar array into AC power for grid connection. These devices range in capacity from around 50 kW to 1 MW and can be used indoors or outdoors.
- A central inverter typically has a maximum input voltage of 1,000 V. Certain central inverters already have a 1,500 V input voltage. These inverters allow PV arrays based on a maximum voltage of 1,500 V, requiring fewer BOS (balance of system) components.
- Moreover, in 2021, the solar PV installed capacity in the European region was recorded as 647.61 GW, in which the maximum installations were of central inverters. The capacity is expected to increase even more in the future due to the government initiatives like the establishment of the Solar Photovoltaic Industry Alliance by the European Commission in October 2022 to scale up manufacturing technologies of innovative solar photovoltaic products and components.
- Furthermore, technological developments are also expected to drive the market. For example, in January 2022, Sungrow launched its new '1+X' central modular inverter with an output capacity of 1.1 MW at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. This 1+X modular inverter can be combined into eight units to reach a power of 8.8 MW and features a DC/ESS interface for connecting energy storage systems (ESS).
- Such developments are forecasted to drive the central solar PV inverters market in the coming years.
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Germany Expected to Dominate the Market
- Germany is the largest solar photovoltaic market in Europe regarding installed capacity, which justifies it being one of the front runners in energy and climate security across the world. The country has witnessed significant developments in the solar PV market. It is likely to continue to do so due to a combination of self-consumption with attractive feed-in premiums, especially for medium- to large-scale commercial systems ranging from 40 kW to 750 kW.
- The major driver for the country's solar inverters market has been the FiT scheme, which has made it lucrative for homeowners as well as small businesses to opt for solar power.
- The cumulative solar photovoltaic installed capacity in Germany has witnessed significant growth. The solar PV installed capacity was 58.4 GW in 2021 and 53.7 GW in 2020. There has been 9.1% year-on-year growth in 2021 compared to the previous year. The market is expected to expand due to the upcoming projects implemented by the government and private investors.
- For example, in May 2022, Germany's Federal Network Agency, the Bundesnetzagentur, concluded the third rooftop PV tender with an average price of EUR 0.0853/kWh. The agency reviewed 171 bids with a total capacity of 212 MW and selected 163 projects totaling 204 MW. The final prices ranged between EUR 0.07 /kWh and EUR 0.0891/kWh.
- In addition, in April 2022, the German Federal Network Agency announced that the agency had selected 201 proposals with a combined output of 1.084 GW under the solar auction, up from 510.34 MW in July 2021. The bids in the round ranged from EUR 0.040 to EUR 0.055 per kWh. The volume-weighted average price stood at EUR 0.0519 (USD 0.057) per kWh, up from EUR 0.050 per kWh in the previous round.
- Owing to such developments, the country is expected to have the highest share in the solar PV inverters market in the near future.
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