On September 1^st, 2010, Lux Research Inc. (Boston, Massachusetts, US) issued a new report that analyzes the value offered by various inverter and various solar photovoltaic (PV) cell and module companies, measuring innovation as well as other factors. "Sorting Solar Module and Inverter Manufacturers on the Lux Innovation Grid" identifies leaders in CIGS thin-film, concentrating photovoltaics (CPV), and inverter technologies, predicting a "shakeout" in module manufacturing, and emphasizing technological advances among inverter makers. "As the solar industry braces for a renewed shakeout, identifying which module- and inverter-makers have the greatest value is more important than ever", said Jason Eckstein, a research associate at Lux Research and the report’s lead author. "The Lux Innovation Grid provides an intuitive tool for assessing the performance of individual companies and the technology space in which they compete."

Solibro, Amonix identified as leaders in CIGS and CPV manufacturing

While the company observes "familiar trends" in crystalline silicon and several thin-film PV technologies, it identifies Q-Cells SE (Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany) subsidiary Solibro and Miasolé Inc. (Santa Clara, California, US) as emerging leaders in cadmium indium gallium di-selenide (CIGS) thin-film technology. Lux Research also identifies CPV-maker Amonix Inc. (Seal Beach, California, US) as the emerging leader in CPV manufacturing.

Inverters distinguished by technological advances

Despite the larger share of companies including SMA Solar Technology AG (Niestetal, Germany) in the inverter market, Lux Research states that SMA and others are being "technologically surpassed" by smaller companies Satcon Technology Corporation (Boston, Massachusetts, US) and Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (Fort Collins, Colorado). The researchers state that with larger scale, these companies could become dominant due to these other advantages.

Strong start-ups

In a phase of the global solar industry where venture capital is becoming tighter, start-up companies face pressures including greater pressures to prove their short-term profitability. However, Lux Research has identified several start-up companies as likely candidates for strong initial public offerings (IPO), including Amonix, micro-inverter maker Enphase Energy Inc. (Petaluma, California, US) and Abound Solar, Inc. (Longmont, Colorado, US).

2010-09-02| Courtesy: Lux Research; photo: Q-Cells SE | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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