January 14, 2011 - Shanghai: IMS Research latest research report shows that PV inverter service plans and extended warranty worth several millions of dollars in this market in the years 2010-2014 will increase by over 480%, the inverter device vendors have created tremendous opportunities for growth.

According to the more than 200 pages of a report from IMS Research, in 2010, set of string inverters and multi-string inverter extended warranty and service plan, central inverter inverter hardware market share market share less than 10%. It is expected that in 2014 the market will grow substantially beyond hardware sales revenue growth. 2010 extended warranty services market, respectively, the highest penetration in the Czech Republic and Germany, mainly because these markets distributed photovoltaic power plant installed a high proportion, and commercial-scale installations using dc to ac converter topology structure. Such as the SMA Tripower, Kaco Powador and Sputnik of the SolarMax MT series products while providing three-phase grid connection and to adapt to larger system design flexibility. While those of the inverter type of installation is more favored by investors, and often need to extend the warranty period to reduce risk.

North American hit a 2010 central inverter service contract attach rates highest record, which was mainly due to Ontario and the United States large-scale, megawatt photovoltaic power plants higher proportion. In addition, such Xeikon (Satcon) and Advanced Energy Industries (Advanced Energy Industries) Company actively promote service plan, and strive in the competitive large centralized inverter marketplace. Predicted that the forecast period, the service contract attach rate will increase, in part to benefit from high-growth markets such as the U.S., China and India massive utility-scale installations, but also benefited from the attention for risk reduction and supplier for These high-margin service plans to actively promote.

Author of the report, IMS Research PV analyst Tom Haddon said: "With solar power as a viable source of utility-scale power generation is increasingly being used, service contracts are increasingly becoming customers in the selection of suppliers is important photovoltaic inverter determinants when just one hour of downtime investors will suffer a huge loss of income, the supplier's reputation and breadth of service contracts will be an important consideration. "

Like the inverter hardware market, SMA also occupied in 2010, serving more than 35% market share. The company in the service sector than the inverter hardware showing more favorable position, thanks to the company attaches great importance to the club SunnyPro and strong brand reputation.