Yole Développement (Lyon, France) has released a new report which estimates that the market for inverters reached USD 45 billion in 2012 and will reach USD 71 billion by 2020.

"Inverter market trends for 2013-2020 and major technology changes" focuses on multiple applications of the technology, including inverters which accompany solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy generation. The report also looks at markets for inverter sub-components.

"A total of more than 28 million units were shipped in 2012 and we estimate that will grow to 80 million units in 2020," explains Yole Développement Power Electronics Activity Leader Brice Le Gouic.

Inverter components an attractive market

As the two main components of inverters, power modules represented a USD 1.9 billion market in 2012, and the passive components market more than USD 4 billion.

Yole Développement also notes that wide band gap semiconductor devices have begun to penetrate high-end market segments, including a USD 43 million market for SiC in PV inverters in 2012. The company also notes that GaN should be introduced in 2013.

The report notes that semiconductor improvements have enabled more efficient conversion, lighter systems and more reliable end-products. Yole Développement states that IGBTs have improved, as have SiC and GaN-based devices.

Asian vertical integration, Western emphasis on R&D

The company also observes changes in the inverter supply chain, noting that Japanese and Chinese manufacturers are tending towards vertical integration of sub-components.

The report also notes that many EU and US manufacturers are acquiring new or complementary competencies, or advanced research and development (R&D) and prototyping services.

2013-02-12 | Courtesy: Yole Développement | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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