本文摘要：Wellingborough, UK – 8th February 2012: The PV inverter market achieved a new record in 2011 with shipments...

Wellingborough, UK – 8th February 2012: The PV inverter market achieved a new record in 2011 with shipments exceeding 26 GW for the first time according to preliminary results from IMS Research. The research firm found that inverter shipments grew by more than 10% in 2011, despite the huge inventory overhang from the year before.
 
IMS Research’s preliminary Q4’11 report, which was released on Monday found that inverter shipments grew by up to 15% in 2011, with more than 8 GW shipped in the last quarter of the year. The report, which is widely considered the most accurate indicator for the PV inverter industry, as it collects sales and shipment data from more than 40 of the largest manufacturers, accounting for more than 85% of the industry, found major regional variations. “Germany remained the largest market, but saw shipments fall by more than a quarter in 2011. This was because of the very high inventory levels in the country at the start of the year as customers sat on high stocks of string inverters. Although many of these inverters were subsequently re-exported to other markets or returned to manufacturers, underlying demand was still not high enough and saw shipment sink considerably“, commented Senior Research Director Ash Sharma.
 
Whilst the German marked performed poorly in 2011, this was more than offset by other markets. China performed extremely well following the country’s introduction of its FiT and saw shipments of nearly 3 GW, whilst the Americas market achieved shipments of close to 4 GW.  The report also found that whilst both Italy and the UK drove high inverter shipment growth, this was not enough to prevent the European market from falling in 2011. In total IMS Research estimates shipments grew by up to 15% globally in 2011 but revenues were flat in US Dollar terms and slightly down in Euros.
 
The research firm estimates that inventory levels have returned to more “normal” levels, though again significant regional variations are occurring. “Inventory levels have greatly reduced in Europe, with inverters being re-exported from Germany, especially those not compliant with the new low-voltage directive requirements. However, inventory levels are understood to have increased considerably in the USA and Asia. In the USA this was caused by customers stock-piling large volumes of inverters ahead of the expiration of the 1603 program. These inverters will of course now be installed in 2012,” explained Sharma.
 
Quarterly analysis of the global PV inverter market is available from IMS Research’s “PV Inverter Supply & Demand Report”. The company has been researching the PV inverter market for more than 5 years and its customers included more than 50 of the world’s largest manufacturers. For more details, please contact Stacey.May@imsresearch.com.
 
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For more information please contact:
 
IMS Research
 
Stacey May, Research Associate, T: +44 (0) 1933 402255 Stacey.May@imsresearch.com
 
Ash Sharma, Senior Research Director, T: +44 (0) 1933 402255 Ash.Sharma@imsresearch.com
 
Twitter: IMSResearch_PV
 
About IMS Research – Photovoltaics
IMS Research is a leading independent supplier of market research and consultancy to the global electronics industry, offering syndicated market studies, bespoke research and consultancy services. The company is one of the most respected commentators in the renewable energy field, with a particular expertise in the PV (solar) market. It currently has eight analysts and a 15-person research team dedicated to researching the PV market. It now offers over 30 reports and cover every aspect of the supply chain from polysilicon supply to PV modules, inverters and PV system integrators. PV@imsresearch.com; www.pvmarketresearch.com