One part power electronics and one part networking and communications technology, microinverters and DC optimizers (commonly referred to as module-level power electronics, or MLPEs) are playing an increasingly significant role in large-scale and distributed renewable electricity generation. With the potential to improve the grid's reliability and increase the overall energy harvest of solar PV projects, they are essential for integrating large amounts of renewable energy onto the grid. According to Navigant Research, annual installations of MLPE capacity will grow from 1,185MW in 2013 to 12,844MW by 2020.
"Microinverters and DC optimizers are two of the most disruptive technologies in the solar PV sector today," said Dexter Gauntlett, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. "The MLPE industry is moving quickly, with a growing list of solar PV module manufacturers now integrating microinverters and DC optimizers at their own production plants."
While the market is beginning to see increasingly sophisticated inverters from major manufacturers, disruptive technological innovation by well-funded startups and early stage MLPE companies is rapidly changing the face of the industry. These new companies are successfully promoting new system architectures and eating into the market share of the incumbents, the firm said.
