APsystems looks ahead after a record 2020

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The microinverter specialist discusses its profitable growth, key milestones, and an ongoing focus on the Latin American market.

New APsystems dual microinverter, the DS3

Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the solar industry and the global economy overall, 2020 was a banner year for APsystems, which continues to advance its leadership in multi-module microinverter solutions.

The international company celebrated its 10th anniversary, surpassed 1 GW in microinverter shipments, marked a one-day delivery milestone, and further strengthened its relationships with partner companies, particularly in the emerging Latin American (LATAM) market.

The beginning

APsystems was founded in Silicon Valley in 2010 and has become a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of module-level power electronics (MLPE) products based on its solar technology.

The company’s co-founders, President and CEO Dr. Zhi-Min Ling and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Yuhao Luo, both have experience in the semiconductor and photovoltaics industries, having served in leading roles at Xilinx and Solaria Corp.

Within about two years, APsystems launched its first single and duo microinverter products. Later, the company launched the YC1000, the first native three-phase quad microinverter, then the dual microinverter YC600 with RPC function, and the QS1 microinverter.

In 2016, Olivier Jacques joined APsystems as vice president. With experience across many high-tech industries, including executive-level positions at Enphase Energy and Samsung Electronics, Jacques played an important role in increasing revenues, developing sales channels, launching a new product platform, and repositioning the company as a value-added solutions provider.

Alvin Xianyu, APsystems LATAM director

Today, APsystems has grown to encompass several global subsidiaries with warehouses, sales, marketing, and technical support teams around the world, including LatAm, Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, serving customers in more than 120 countries.

Main products include both AC-side microinverters and DC-side rapid shutdown devices for residential and commercial solar installations. The company’s EMA energy monitoring and analysis software also provides customer control over each individual module and microinverter in a solar array.

Alvin Xianyu, LATAM director of APsystems, called the company’s 10-year anniversary a “major landmark,” especially in the evolving inverter industry. “It has been a long and exciting journey,” said Xianyu. “The path we’ve taken to get here has been incredibly fulfilling and has brought a strong sense of accomplishment.”

The company has also been profitable each of the past nine years.

“Staying alive is one thing,” said Xianyu, “but growing profitably when you need to heavily invest in R&D on one side, while keeping enough agility to adapt to an ever-changing emerging market on the other side, is another challenge.”

He added that APsystems’ success is primarily due to the “hard work, determination, and patience of the hundreds of talented and committed people who have joined and believed in this company over the years.”

The milestones

By the end of 2020, APsystems’ global cumulative microinverter shipments surpassed 1 GW, representing more than 3.5 million individual units. They are expected to generate a total 1.24 billion kWh annually and reduce carbon dioxide output by 910,000 tons, equal to the environmental benefits of 45 million trees.

When the impacts of Covid-19 started in early 2020, APsystems adjusted its production and business strategy in a timely manner and achieved growth in several main markets, including the United States, Europe, and LatAm.

APsystems plans to keep concentrating on product and market development. In fact, the company’s next goal is to achieve 1 GW of microinverter shipments annually.

It also reached a one-day delivery milestone last year: On Dec. 1, 2020, the company shipped 22,000 microinverter units totaling over 27 MW. Xianyu said the units were mostly quad microinverters, which offer distributors and installers increased reliability and lower MLPE system costs.

He added the delivery represented a record-setting moment for APsystems and an achievement for any inverter supplier to ship such volume in a single day.

Building long-term partnerships

In 2020, APsystems remained focused on steady growth in the emerging LatAm solar market, especially Brazil. To support that growth, the company also devoted itself to strengthening its relationships with key regional partners.

The company has been in the LatAm market for over eight years, and its products have earned a good reputation among regional installers and other industry stakeholders. Xianyu said the company saw the strong potential of the “fast-growing” LatAm market.

“When you combine sufficient solar irradiance with supportive policies on clean energy from local governments, you obtain strong driving factors which set the foundation for a growing and sustainable solar business in LatAm,” he explained.

Another key to APsystems’ success in LatAm has been close collaboration with leading distributors. The company has been working with Ecori Energia Solar, one of the largest distributed generation (DG) PV system distributors in Brazil, for almost six years. Their partnership has helped increase APsystems’ presence in the promising Brazilian market.

“Both of us have the same view of the MLPE segment, and we treat each other as reliable partners as well as good friends,” said Xianyu.

Leandro Martins, president and founder of Ecori

“With a great sense of professionalism and ethics, together we created this market from scratch,” said Martins. “Our resellers started to migrate their sales from other technologies to APsystems microinverters, and they love it.”

Xianyu credited Ecori’s large business and service network in Brazil to the company’s “very professional team highly responsible for added value and contribution to this market through consistent best-in-class technical support and training.”

Although Brazil is among LatAm’s largest solar markets, it still has some obstacles to overcome. “Each coin has two sides; opportunity and challenge always coexist,” said Xianyu.

He said APsystems keeps an eye on uncertainties like potential policy change, unstable exchange rates, and other big challenges like the unexpected impact of Covid-19. Xianyu also cited a desire to continually lower system costs so that microinverter solutions gain even more interest in commercial applications.

“The greatest challenge we face here is to ensure the resellers also do a great job on their installations,” said Martins. “We know that education and training are key for newcomers in the market, as many new companies need to acquire the necessary knowledge to guarantee high-quality installation services for residential and commercial system owners. We believe this is improving.”

Martins pointed out that Ecori offers free training, both online and at the company’s center in São Paulo city. He said, “We are always available to make our market more professional.”

Another challenge is the discussion over potential changes to Brazil’s DG rules. Martins said he hopes the country’s politicians will protect the solar industry, noting President Jair Bolsonaro “already gave many speeches in its favor.” Martins said some associations, such as Movimento Solar Livre, are also “doing a great job trying to avoid any kind of taxation.”

Both Martins and Xianyu are pleased and encouraged to see Brazil’s DG market becoming increasingly mature.

According to Brazilian solar association ABSolar, the country recently surpassed the historic mark of 7 GW of operational PV power. DG solar accounted for most of that capacity, with more than 4 GW installed. Brazil’s government also recently set a target of 45% renewables by 2050.

To help expand Brazil’s MLPE use, APsystems and Ecori plan on maintaining their partnership. Martins said the companies’ six-year relationship is “just the beginning of a very long journey together.”

The future

APsystems already has some new solutions under development. Xianyu said the company will launch a new generation of microinverters for both residential and large roofs based on an entirely new architecture in a few months.

New APsystems dual microinverter, the DS3

 

For example, Xianyu mentioned the new APsystems dual microinverter, the DS3. He said this third-generation dual microinverter is the result of unprecedented integration work that has enabled APsystems to reduce the number of components by 20%. It will offer unprecedented power density, delivering 50% more AC output power than the YC600, and will be “fully compatible with our current single-phase dual and quad, the YC600 & QS1, for installation on the same roof.”

After celebrating the company’s 10-year anniversary, reaching milestones, and strengthening key partnerships in emerging markets, APsystems is excited about the future.

“APsystems is now well recognized for its leadership in multi-module microinverter solutions, bringing innovative products to market that are built to last,” said Xianyu. “This is the DNA of the company and will continue to be.”

APsystems reveals competitive edge on Solar Power World podcast

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A smart microinverter takes a smart chip – and every APsystems unit has one inside.
The powerful FPGA chip that drives APsystems advanced microinverters is among the topics covered by Solar Power World editor Kathie Zipp and Jason Higginson, APsystems senior director of marketing, during a recent interview.

The pair sat down recently for an informative program on solar technology, the fast-growing Module Level Power Electronics segment and other topics.

Listen to the podcast here.

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APS Microinverters good for the environment and the economy, China TV says

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When producers for the television show Travel Around China asked how Jiaxing residents could “get rich,” the answer was solar.

China energy policy encourages citizens to put PV systems on their homes, to earn government subsidies and sell the extra electricity back to the grid. That’s where the APS Microinverter comes in – as a key component of the residential PV systems that are turning up in great numbers in Chinese cities and across the countryside.

“APS’ goal is that every family can be able to install a solar system at their house,” APS co-founder, CEO and President Dr. Zhi-Min Ling told the Travel Around China program. “We provide the most efficient, convenient and smart solutions for the public to make our garden greener.”

During the interview, Dr. Ling explained how a home PV system works, and how the APS Energy Monitoring and Analysis software allows residents to track their system’s productivity in real time.

The Chinese government strongly supports development of distributed energy systems throughout the country, both to protect the environment and for citizens’ economic benefit. This includes subsidies for homeowners who install their own PV array, so residential systems are becoming more commonplace next to larger commercial installations.

Safer and more efficient than central “string” inverters, APS Microinverters are an ideal fit for these household PV systems.

APS America names Thomas Nelson new Vice President for Sales

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 5, 2014

SEATTLE — APS America, a global leader in solar microinverter technology, has hired Thomas Nelson as vice president for sales. He will also work with technical services and international support as collateral duties.

“Thomas brings to APS a depth of industry knowledge and technical expertise, and a long history in the power electronics marketplace,” said Paul Barlock, APS America senior vice president. “His addition to the senior sales staff will be a great asset to the growth of APS ’ share in the solar microinverter market.”

thomas_nelsonNelson comes to APS with over seven years in the solar industry. He most recently served as senior director of strategic accounts with UK microinverter firm Enecys, where he oversaw distribution and sales for North, Central and South America and Australia. He has also held sales directorships with SolarBridge, Uni-Solar and Ningbo Solar. His expertise includes solar microinverters and PV modules, utility grid equipment and wireless communication.

He previously worked in the telecommunications industry, including management positions with American Power Conversion, Qualcomm and Verizon Wireless.

Nelson holds an MBA (international business) from Kennedy Western University and a BSAA (industrial management and technology) from Texas State University.

“The adoption of microinverters for use in residential and commercial solar installations is strong and APS is well positioned to become a global dominant force in this space.” Nelson said of APS. “Our current and next generation product offerings are in line to what the market is asking for today by providing an advanced technical solution at a lower LCOE.”

APS hs been on an aggressive growth curve in 2014, completing significant distribution deals with leading suppliers in California, the Mountain States region, and the mid-Atlantic market. The company is poised to introduce the YC1000, the world’s first 3-phase, 4-panel microinverter for large commercial applications.
APS was founded in Silicon Valley in 2009, and is now a global leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of microinverters based on their own proprietary, leading-edge solar technology. APS America, representing APS in the US market, is based near Seattle.

The APS Microinverter solution combines highly efficient power inversion with a user-friendly monitoring interface for reliable, intelligent energy. The proprietary system architecture increases solar harvest and ensures maximum output for solar arrays, and the company continues to develop new technologies and products for the marketplace.

APS ranked No. 2 in global market share among top microinverter suppliers by shipments in 2013. (Source: GTM Research)

APS distributor Blue Frog Solar featured on local business journal

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APS distributor Blue Frog Solar of Poulsbo, WA, and its Simple Solar program got some great press this week with an in-depth feature in the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal.

The KPBJ gives a comprehensive look at the incentives that make Washington solar such a great deal — and Simple Solar, which makes it easier than ever to make the move to energy self-sufficiency. It’s a great move for both existing homes and new construction.

As the Business Journal notes:

Blue Frog is collaborating on the largest residential solar project in Kitsap County — Bainbridge Island’s Grow Community, a project of real estate development and investment firm Asani. It’s an example of effectively designing and building homes to accommodate rooftop solar panels.
“We knew from the outset that our goal was to create a net-zero community using solar,” says Marja Preston, senior director of development at Asani and owner of a solar home at Grow. “So everything there was designed, including the apartments, so we could get enough solar panels on the roof to provide all the energy needed for the homeowner.”

Blue Frog’s Simple Solar program and partner installer A&R Solar of Seattle count on advanced microinverter technology from APS in all installations — including Grow Community, now the largest planed solar development in Washington state.

Read the whole story here.  

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Sun & Wind Energy bullish on APS Microinverters

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63Microinverter technology is the future of solar, and APS Microinverters are in the vanguard of this trend.

APS is among the companies surveyed in “Two Groundbreaking PV Technologies,” a feature article in a recent edition of Sun & Wind Energy magazine. The report on module-level power electronics – the catch-all category for microinverters and DC optimizers – touts the growth of the global microinverter industry.

The magazine cites technical developments, cost reduction and the range of new integrated PV products as among the factors driving the MLPE industry.

“Our success in the global market demonstrates that microinverters are the new paradigm for PV power inversion,” Paul Barlock, APS senior vice president, tells Sun & Wind Energy. “Microinverters are the best solution for all rooftop applications.”

The magazine goes on to discuss the APS YC 1000, the world’s first true 3-phase, 4-panel microinverter, due to the domestic market in 2014.

Read the whole story here.

APS Microinverters are Solar Builder’s cover story for July/August edition

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UnknownAPS has reimagined the possibilities of the solar microinverter, and the national media are taking notice. Solar Builder magazine features APS Microinverters on the cover of their July/August edition with a lengthy feature story, “Rethinking Microinverters: APS America changes the game with microinverters that power multiple PV modules.”

The cover story touts our advanced APS Microinverter technology and the real per-watt costs savings that come with our dual-module microinverter units.

“Our big leap forward was to be able to do a dual that is not twice as big as the single,” APS CEO Kelly Samson says in the story. “There’s a lot of dual use of parts inside that box. The box is 60 percent bigger than a single. That does a lot of magic things for you — makes the box smaller and lighter, makes it more efficient, less costly to manufacture, cheaper to ship and we have a significant price advantage over the competition.”

Read the whole story here.

2014 Trends: Solar Module-Level Power Electronics – Solar Power World

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Product reliability distinguishes top microinverter brands, APS VP Michael Ludgate tells Solar Power World in a new article on MLPE trends. Read Micahel’s comments here.

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Trends And Challenges Of Solar Inverters

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Solar Power World asked APS VP Michael Ludgate to weigh in on the trends and challenges of solar inverter technology for the online magazine’s recent series. Read Michael’s insights here.  http://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2014/05/trends-challenges-solar-inverters/
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Letting the sun shine in: Habitat for Humanity neighborhood gets solar panels

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Blue Frog Solar and Habitat for Humanity have teamed up to bring solar to 32 new homes in Port Orchard (using APS Microinverters, of course!), and we get great coverage in the Kitsap Sun newspaper. Read the whole story here.

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