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.
Alvin Xianyu, APsystems LATAM director
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.
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
New APsystems dual microinverter, the DS3
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.
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.”
https://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/DS3_vue_principale-copy.png600500APsystemshttps://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/APsystems-logo-primary.pngAPsystems2021-04-01 08:30:122023-04-26 23:27:29APsystems looks ahead after a record 2020
For the second consecutive year, the “Top Brand PV SEAL award” given to APsystems, is the outcome of an analysis based on a survey with 100 French PV installers. The data collected from installers in the second half of 2020 form the basis of this result.
“EUPD Research has more than 20 years of experience in the sector. This know-how is unique in the PV industry. We are pleased to see APsystems ranking among the Top PV brands in the inverter category in the French market. This unique seal is the result of a fully independent evaluation, and various individual factors were taken into account in the analysis of the APsystems brand.” said Dr. Martin Ammon, COO at EUPD Research.
Based on years of research, EUPD Research has developed an annual evaluation model to focus on aspects of a successful brand management. The seal is designed to present a complete view of the brand, in which various characteristics of the product play a role.
APsystems continues to consolidate its leadership in multi-module microinverter solutions that offer innovative products designed to last. A new generation of microinverters for both residential and large roofs based on an entirely new architecture will be introduced to market in few months. The DS3, the 3rd generation of dual microinverter will be available in June and will offer unprecedented power density with 900 W AC. It will also offer full compatibility with our current single-phase dual and quad, the YC600 & QS1, for installation on the same roof.
Last year, APsystems’ global cumulative microinverter shipments surpassed 1 GW, representing more than 3.5 million individual units. The expected solar power generation will reach a total 1,24 billion kWh annually, reducing 910 000 tons of carbon dioxide, and equal the environmental benefits of over 45 million trees.
APsystems offers the widest range of microinverter solutions to solar professionals and continues to be a leader in photovoltaic innovation, serving its clients in more than 120 countries around the world with local teams spread across Europe and offices, France, Lyon and Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.
https://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EUPD_Research_webpost.png488600Max Boironhttps://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/APsystems-logo-primary.pngMax Boiron2021-03-29 12:21:242021-03-29 15:15:03APsystems is proud to receive the “Top Brand PV Seal” for inverters on the French market from EUPD Research.
Few weeks ago, APsystems launched a short quiz about the new generation of microinverters planned for launch in 2021. In participating, respondents had a chance to win Amazon vouchers worth of 50 or 100€. We would like to thank everyone for his / her participation.
With over 200 participants coming from 10 countries, we are delighted to announce the list of winners from the draw. Congratulations !
Jose Martinho Martins Araújo, Portugal
Artur Chmura, Poland
Eduardo Almeida, Portugal,
Kurt Farrugia, Cyprus
Anais Chan, France
Jonathan Wagner, France
Alain Plo, France
Rene Caracciolo France
Virginie Leveque, France
Patrick Rousset, France
Borja Rodriguez-Rey Moreno, Spain
Jose Eduardo Londono Enriquez, Spain
Luis Miguel Diez Molinero, Spain
Daniel Aguilar Pedraza, Spain
Ferdy Koole, The Netherlands
Patrick Gorter, The Netherlands
Rick van Kempen, The Netherlands
Marco Smit, The Netherlands
Enzo den Rooijen, The Netherlands
Erik de Zwart, The Netherlands
We wish the winners a lot of fun choosing their prize on Amazon! Would you also like to participate and have a chance and also be informed of APsystems news, training courses or to be kept informed of other developments, register for our newsletter . No price won this time? Nothing to worry about! Because there will probably be a promotion again. So watch our newsletter.
https://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/aps_amazon_banner_1280x768_EN_01.jpg7681280Mark Hagenbeekhttps://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/APsystems-logo-primary.pngMark Hagenbeek2021-03-16 08:55:272021-03-19 15:50:18AND THE WINNERS OF THE APSYSTEMS QUIZ ARE…..
APsystems continues to take part in the Solar and Storage DigiCon conference series : the first digital trade fair with regular live conference programs for the solar pv & energy storage industry!
Experience our virtual booth and access the latest products information including datasheets, brochures, videos and more..
https://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/APsystems-Digicon-Booth.png10501680Max Boironhttps://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/APsystems-logo-primary.pngMax Boiron2021-02-03 08:49:372021-02-03 08:52:00APsystems takes part in the Polish downstream market briefing 2021, a live event part of Solar & Storage DigiCon virtual roadshow
APsystems is delighted to join the Solar and Storage DigiCon conference : the first digital trade fair with regular live conference program for the solar pv & energy storage industry!
Experience our virtual booth and access the latest products information including datasheets, brochures, videos and more..
Join us live at DigiCon, and listen to some of the key players from Down Under highlight the most promising trends for solar and storage and provide concrete recommendations for players of the sectors today.
The session will include :
Solar & Storage Market Developments & Current Framework Conditions
Exclusive Installer Insights From the EUPD Research InstallerMonitor 2021
Industry Perspective – Technological Breakthroughs
Also join APsystems live presentation from Stéphane Dufrenne @10 am on January 21st.
https://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/APsystems-Digicon-Booth.png10501680Max Boironhttps://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/APsystems-logo-primary.pngMax Boiron2021-01-20 08:37:382021-01-20 09:45:39APsystems Joins Solar and Storage DigiCon conference – Spain live day coming up on Jan 21st !
APsystems co-founder and CTO, based in Cupertino, Silicon Valley, unveils the technological background of the most powerful microinverter on the market: the NEW dual DS3 (for Dual, Single-phase, 3rd generation) coming approximately September 2021.
Dr. Luo, APsystems is planning to launch its 3rd generation dual Microinverter very soon, how does this product differ from previous generations?
« It has now been a decade since we gradually established ourselves as the global benchmark in multi-module microinverters for the solar industry. Our expertise in power electronics allows us to design and manufacture a wide range of MLPE solutions (Module-Level Power Electronics) on top of our well-known range of microinverters. Regarding our dual microinverter range, the 1st generation with the YC500, launched eight years ago, has received a phenomenal reception in the world market and has strongly reinforced our idea that a dual microinverter architecture solution with 2 MPPT connecting two modules makes complete sense. Since then, we have not stopped innovating, year after year, with ever more powerful, integrated and intelligent products. In 2017, we launched the 2nd generation of single-phase dual, the YC600, which, beyond superior AC output power, incorporates Zigbee communications with all the competitive advantages it brings in terms of signal speed, robustness and ease of installation for professionals. The company has also chosen to integrate this communication technology across the entire product range.
At this stage, we also needed to make our products interactive with power grids. A feature commonly referred to as RPC (Reactive Power Control) or reactive power factor management, has been increasingly requested by utilities to better manage photovoltaic power spikes in the grid and facilitate its integration. This is a requirement, already in force in countries like Germany, US, Italy or Australia, which is gradually spreading all over the world. The DS3, our 3rd generation dual microinverter planned to be released on the market approximately September 2021, not only brings together all the innovations from previous generations but goes even further.
First, it relies on a completely new architecture that will provide 50% higher power, and higher efficiency. We have also added enhanced communication security leveraging Texas Instruments’ Zigbee module, a global benchmark in this field, onto which we are adding a cybersecurity tool called Karamba to make code programming completely inviolable and all PV production data processed by our customers fully secured. In terms of form factor design and microinverter materials utilized for the casing, we have also opted for an innovative, optimized, compact design combining cast aluminum on the front and rugged polymer on the back making the product lighter while maximizing its power. All components are still encapsulated with silicone to reduce stress on the electronic components, facilitate thermal dissipation, enhance waterproof properties and ensure maximum reliability of the system via rigorous testing methods including 20 000 hours of accelerated life testing and many other procedures which are part of our ISO 9001 certification process. This generation is also a result of unprecedented integration work that has enabled us to reduce the number of components by 20% while delivering 50% more AC output power than the YC600, our current generation. It is a technical achievement and an industry 1st to reach a record 900 W AC power output on a dual microinverter! With 97% efficiency and a wide range of MPPT operating voltage, the DS3 will be able to connect two modules up to 650 Wc each. It supports all utility requirements for remote control and programming. It also has improved remote upgrade functions to ensure any future requirements. The product is currently going through all safety certifications and compliances. The DS3 is a groundbreaking, grid interactive product that will democratize even further the use of microinverters in the residential and multi-residential solar market segments. »
https://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DS3_vue_face-featured-image.png466400Max Boironhttps://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/APsystems-logo-primary.pngMax Boiron2020-12-07 14:33:462021-06-21 14:31:35“The DS3, a completely new architecture”- Interview from Dr LUO, CTO & co-founder of APsystems
Not only zero energy, but almost free energy as well. This is a new smart home in Sendom’s offer. Photovoltaic installations will be provided by Stilo Energy, with which Sendom has concluded a contract for the construction of 350 photovoltaic houses with a total capacity of 3 MW. The cost of the house is PLN 299,000 (below 67,000€)
The Sendom company from Stary Kiszewa in the Pomeranian Voivodeship is one of the largest producers of prefabricated houses in Poland. Until now, the buildings proposed by it were equipped with a heat pump and mechanical and ventilation systems in order to reduce operating costs to a minimum.
From now on, houses offered by Sendom will be equipped with photovoltaic panels, which will be supplied and installed by Stilo Energy.
As Stilo Energy assures, Sendom customers themselves were an inspiration for houses equipped with solar energy as standard.
The buildings we offer are energy-efficient. The cost of electric home heating does not exceed PLN 1,000 per year (Eq. to 223€ per year). So why not generate electricity yourself, our customers ask us. That is why we decided to introduce a zero-energy house to our offer, which will be self-sufficient not only in terms of heating, but also allow our clients to use free electricity – comments Barłomiej Kantrzonka from Sendom.
In photovoltaic installations, Stilo Energy has chosen QS1 microinverters from APsystems.
Photovoltaics in a mortgage loan
Over the next year, Sendom plans to sell 350 buildings from the series known as Smart, which, apart from a photovoltaic installation with a capacity of 6.4 kWp, also includes the use of, among others air-water heat pump. The usable area of the house will be 111.5 m2, and the floor area is 139 m2.
The company emphasizes that the purchase of a house with a photovoltaic installation is financially more advantageous than the purchase of a house and the subsequent installation of the system due to the possibility of covering the installation with mortgage financing.
A house with photovoltaics as standard can be financed with a mortgage, provided that the purchase of both will take place simultaneously. It is a very attractive form of investment financing due to better credit conditions. In this way, customers benefit in two ways: they save on electricity bills and loan costs – says Krzysztof Koronkiewicz from Stilo Energy.
https://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/CaptureSendomhouse.jpg409635Max Boironhttps://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/APsystems-logo-primary.pngMax Boiron2020-11-19 17:28:132020-11-30 11:52:48Sendom and Stilo Energy choose APsystems Microinverters for a 350 Zero Energy housing program
When office space reinvents itself into sustainable housing with solar, 250 social rental homes offer low energy bills to their tenants.
The Meander office building was opened in the late 1990s and served as a town hall in Nieuwegein (Netherlands) for a long time. In recent years, the complex has been completely renovated and transformed into a residential building with over 250 social rental homes. In order to meet the wishes of future tenants and the requirements of today, each home has its own heat pump and a connection to solar panels. The houses are also gas free (the majority of households in the Netherlands use gas for heating and cooking), so that each resident has an extremely low energy bill and energy consumption is not at the expense of the environment.
The installer NewSolar, responsible for the installation of more than 420 kilowatt peak, equipped each home with 6 solar panels from Trina Solar. For the technology and conversion behind the solar panels, micro-inverters from APsystems were deliberately chosen. By using micro-inverters, it was not necessary to install a separate inverter in each home, so that no unnecessary space was taken up in the homes. This also precludes improper use by the tenant / resident due to the lack of additional electrical equipment in the apartments.
The ability to give each resident access to his or her yield, at virtually no additional cost, was a decisive factor in choosing APsystems.
Only 2 micro-inverters are installed per home, the QS1 and the YC600, to which 4 and 2 solar panels can be connected respectively. By using these micro-inverters, no additional facilities (e.g. wiring) is required per home and a very short installation time is guaranteed. This is made possible thanks to standard integrated Zigbee communication features in all Microinverters and Energy Communication Units (ECU) from APsystems.
Thanks to APsystems’ unique Shared Monitoring, each resident has access to his own yield thanks to a login code via his mobile or tablet, for example. When using the ECU-R (Energy Communication Unit), managing and maintaining an overview and remote monitoring is possible, so services can be easily provided without even paying a visit to the tenants.
https://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Capture_web.jpg604708Mark Hagenbeekhttps://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/APsystems-logo-primary.pngMark Hagenbeek2020-09-18 11:17:372020-10-21 13:45:55Meander office building turns into a 428 kWp solar-powered social housing complex
Discover the exclusive interview from Olivier Jacques, President, Global Executive VP at APsystems, who looks back on the background and prospects of APsystems.
Extract: In 2020, APsystems celebrates 10 years as a leader in the microinverter market. A cocktail of innovation and daring, APsystems optimizes photovoltaic installations with state-of-the-art products and monitoring accessible to all. Thanks to its openness and its ability to adapt, the company has positioned itself as a benchmark in its sector in 120 countries and can boast of being profitable since 2012. Camille Erder, journalist for Management meets Olivier Jacques, President, Global Executive VP at APsystems.
Camille Erder: How do you explain the hypergrowth of APsystems?
Olivier Jacques: APsystems started in 2010 as a research laboratory in Silicon Valley. When I took over as Executive VP a little over five years ago, I understood that we had to focus on marketing by opening up internationally and offering simple and connected products. APsystems has strongly contributed to the democratization of the solar energy market thanks to its software accessible to all. Our ability to innovate and adapt has enabled us to export our range of products and services all over the world and to build trusted partnerships with many companies, both in the industrial and tertiary fields and in the residential sector.
The DNA of the company is its profitability and the secret of our success is the regular questioning of our positioning, the free will of our teams and the overall nature of our multicultural company.
Camille Erder: Does the ecological transition impact your projects?
Olivier Jacques: The energy transition pushes us more than ever to innovate in order to provide ecological solutions while preserving user comfort. For us, technology is the answer … APsystems favors interactions with energy suppliers to advance in the ecological transition, by finding alternative energy sources and by adapting our future installations.
https://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/APsystems-logo-primary.png00Max Boironhttps://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/APsystems-logo-primary.pngMax Boiron2020-09-10 13:13:592020-09-10 13:16:15Ecological transition report – APsystems, the high tech solar company – published in MANAGEMENT, French magazine, September 2020
Ekisolar has equipped 32 bungalows of the Igueldo campsite in self-consumption with ZigBee powered QS1 microinverters.
“The main advantage of APsystems is that it is the technology that best suits this environment. It should be noted that it is an environment quite shaded with lots of trees , and buildings with different locations and orientations so the only possible solution for an environment like this is microinverter technology“. Says José Ignacio Mendoza, Managing Partner of Ekisolar. “The installation took about 2 weeks. This project guarantees a good functioning and certainly for the customer a high profitability” he adds.
We have chosen a solar solution for our campsite because the cost of light has been increasing. Every day we needed to contract more power and with solar panels we will perform self-consumption with an clean viable and profitable energy. My opinion regarding the development of this project is very positive and we are very happy about how the entire installation led by Ekisolar has been executed. We have already seen that the the project and the installation with APsystems has a shown good result” has said Oscar Arana, Manager of Camping Igueldo.
https://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ekisolar_Igueldo-2.jpeg12001600Max Boironhttps://emea.apsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/APsystems-logo-primary.pngMax Boiron2020-08-31 12:27:422020-08-31 12:33:30The camping Igueldo in San Sebastián, Spain moves to self-consumption with APsystems latest microinverter technology
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APsystems looks ahead after a record 2020
/in General News, Press Coverage/by APsystemsThe 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.
Alvin Xianyu, APsystems LATAM director
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.
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
New APsystems dual microinverter, the DS3
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.
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 is proud to receive the “Top Brand PV Seal” for inverters on the French market from EUPD Research.
/in Events, General News/by Max BoironFor the second consecutive year, the “Top Brand PV SEAL award” given to APsystems, is the outcome of an analysis based on a survey with 100 French PV installers. The data collected from installers in the second half of 2020 form the basis of this result.
“EUPD Research has more than 20 years of experience in the sector. This know-how is unique in the PV industry. We are pleased to see APsystems ranking among the Top PV brands in the inverter category in the French market. This unique seal is the result of a fully independent evaluation, and various individual factors were taken into account in the analysis of the APsystems brand.” said Dr. Martin Ammon, COO at EUPD Research.
Based on years of research, EUPD Research has developed an annual evaluation model to focus on aspects of a successful brand management. The seal is designed to present a complete view of the brand, in which various characteristics of the product play a role.
APsystems continues to consolidate its leadership in multi-module microinverter solutions that offer innovative products designed to last. A new generation of microinverters for both residential and large roofs based on an entirely new architecture will be introduced to market in few months. The DS3, the 3rd generation of dual microinverter will be available in June and will offer unprecedented power density with 900 W AC. It will also offer full compatibility with our current single-phase dual and quad, the YC600 & QS1, for installation on the same roof.
Last year, APsystems’ global cumulative microinverter shipments surpassed 1 GW, representing more than 3.5 million individual units. The expected solar power generation will reach a total 1,24 billion kWh annually, reducing 910 000 tons of carbon dioxide, and equal the environmental benefits of over 45 million trees.
APsystems offers the widest range of microinverter solutions to solar professionals and continues to be a leader in photovoltaic innovation, serving its clients in more than 120 countries around the world with local teams spread across Europe and offices, France, Lyon and Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.
Discover the article on PES solar edition
AND THE WINNERS OF THE APSYSTEMS QUIZ ARE…..
/in Events, General News/by Mark HagenbeekFew weeks ago, APsystems launched a short quiz about the new generation of microinverters planned for launch in 2021. In participating, respondents had a chance to win Amazon vouchers worth of 50 or 100€. We would like to thank everyone for his / her participation.
With over 200 participants coming from 10 countries, we are delighted to announce the list of winners from the draw. Congratulations !
We wish the winners a lot of fun choosing their prize on Amazon! Would you also like to participate and have a chance and also be informed of APsystems news, training courses or to be kept informed of other developments, register for our newsletter . No price won this time? Nothing to worry about! Because there will probably be a promotion again. So watch our newsletter.
APsystems takes part in the Polish downstream market briefing 2021, a live event part of Solar & Storage DigiCon virtual roadshow
/in Events, General News/by Max BoironAPsystems continues to take part in the Solar and Storage DigiCon conference series : the first digital trade fair with regular live conference programs for the solar pv & energy storage industry!
Experience our virtual booth and access the latest products information including datasheets, brochures, videos and more..
Register here
Join the Live day Poland on February 4th.
The session will include :
Also join APsystems live presentation from Stéphane Dufrenne @10.05 am on Feb 4th.
More information is available HERE
APsystems Joins Solar and Storage DigiCon conference – Spain live day coming up on Jan 21st !
/in Events, General News/by Max BoironAPsystems is delighted to join the Solar and Storage DigiCon conference : the first digital trade fair with regular live conference program for the solar pv & energy storage industry!
Experience our virtual booth and access the latest products information including datasheets, brochures, videos and more..
Register here
Join the Spain Live day on January 21st.
Join us live at DigiCon, and listen to some of the key players from Down Under highlight the most promising trends for solar and storage and provide concrete recommendations for players of the sectors today.
The session will include :
Also join APsystems live presentation from Stéphane Dufrenne @10 am on January 21st.
More information is available HERE
“The DS3, a completely new architecture”- Interview from Dr LUO, CTO & co-founder of APsystems
/in Article, General News/by Max BoironAPsystems co-founder and CTO, based in Cupertino, Silicon Valley, unveils the technological background of the most powerful microinverter on the market: the NEW dual DS3 (for Dual, Single-phase, 3rd generation) coming approximately September 2021.
Dr. Luo, APsystems is planning to launch its 3rd generation dual Microinverter very soon, how does this product differ from previous generations?
« It has now been a decade since we gradually established ourselves as the global benchmark in multi-module microinverters for the solar industry. Our expertise in power electronics allows us to design and manufacture a wide range of MLPE solutions (Module-Level Power Electronics) on top of our well-known range of microinverters. Regarding our dual microinverter range, the 1st generation with the YC500, launched eight years ago, has received a phenomenal reception in the world market and has strongly reinforced our idea that a dual microinverter architecture solution with 2 MPPT connecting two modules makes complete sense. Since then, we have not stopped innovating, year after year, with ever more powerful, integrated and intelligent products. In 2017, we launched the 2nd generation of single-phase dual, the YC600, which, beyond superior AC output power, incorporates Zigbee communications with all the competitive advantages it brings in terms of signal speed, robustness and ease of installation for professionals. The company has also chosen to integrate this communication technology across the entire product range.
At this stage, we also needed to make our products interactive with power grids. A feature commonly referred to as RPC (Reactive Power Control) or reactive power factor management, has been increasingly requested by utilities to better manage photovoltaic power spikes in the grid and facilitate its integration. This is a requirement, already in force in countries like Germany, US, Italy or Australia, which is gradually spreading all over the world. The DS3, our 3rd generation dual microinverter planned to be released on the market approximately September 2021, not only brings together all the innovations from previous generations but goes even further.
First, it relies on a completely new architecture that will provide 50% higher power, and higher efficiency. We have also added enhanced communication security leveraging Texas Instruments’ Zigbee module, a global benchmark in this field, onto which we are adding a cybersecurity tool called Karamba to make code programming completely inviolable and all PV production data processed by our customers fully secured. In terms of form factor design and microinverter materials utilized for the casing, we have also opted for an innovative, optimized, compact design combining cast aluminum on the front and rugged polymer on the back making the product lighter while maximizing its power. All components are still encapsulated with silicone to reduce stress on the electronic components, facilitate thermal dissipation, enhance waterproof properties and ensure maximum reliability of the system via rigorous testing methods including 20 000 hours of accelerated life testing and many other procedures which are part of our ISO 9001 certification process. This generation is also a result of unprecedented integration work that has enabled us to reduce the number of components by 20% while delivering 50% more AC output power than the YC600, our current generation. It is a technical achievement and an industry 1st to reach a record 900 W AC power output on a dual microinverter! With 97% efficiency and a wide range of MPPT operating voltage, the DS3 will be able to connect two modules up to 650 Wc each. It supports all utility requirements for remote control and programming. It also has improved remote upgrade functions to ensure any future requirements. The product is currently going through all safety certifications and compliances. The DS3 is a groundbreaking, grid interactive product that will democratize even further the use of microinverters in the residential and multi-residential solar market segments. »
Sendom and Stilo Energy choose APsystems Microinverters for a 350 Zero Energy housing program
/in Article, Case Studies, General News/by Max BoironNot only zero energy, but almost free energy as well. This is a new smart home in Sendom’s offer. Photovoltaic installations will be provided by Stilo Energy, with which Sendom has concluded a contract for the construction of 350 photovoltaic houses with a total capacity of 3 MW. The cost of the house is PLN 299,000 (below 67,000€)
The Sendom company from Stary Kiszewa in the Pomeranian Voivodeship is one of the largest producers of prefabricated houses in Poland. Until now, the buildings proposed by it were equipped with a heat pump and mechanical and ventilation systems in order to reduce operating costs to a minimum.
From now on, houses offered by Sendom will be equipped with photovoltaic panels, which will be supplied and installed by Stilo Energy.
As Stilo Energy assures, Sendom customers themselves were an inspiration for houses equipped with solar energy as standard.
The buildings we offer are energy-efficient. The cost of electric home heating does not exceed PLN 1,000 per year (Eq. to 223€ per year). So why not generate electricity yourself, our customers ask us. That is why we decided to introduce a zero-energy house to our offer, which will be self-sufficient not only in terms of heating, but also allow our clients to use free electricity – comments Barłomiej Kantrzonka from Sendom.
In photovoltaic installations, Stilo Energy has chosen QS1 microinverters from APsystems.
Photovoltaics in a mortgage loan
Over the next year, Sendom plans to sell 350 buildings from the series known as Smart, which, apart from a photovoltaic installation with a capacity of 6.4 kWp, also includes the use of, among others air-water heat pump. The usable area of the house will be 111.5 m2, and the floor area is 139 m2.
The company emphasizes that the purchase of a house with a photovoltaic installation is financially more advantageous than the purchase of a house and the subsequent installation of the system due to the possibility of covering the installation with mortgage financing.
A house with photovoltaics as standard can be financed with a mortgage, provided that the purchase of both will take place simultaneously. It is a very attractive form of investment financing due to better credit conditions. In this way, customers benefit in two ways: they save on electricity bills and loan costs – says Krzysztof Koronkiewicz from Stilo Energy.
Meander office building turns into a 428 kWp solar-powered social housing complex
/in Article, General News, Press Coverage/by Mark HagenbeekWhen office space reinvents itself into sustainable housing with solar, 250 social rental homes offer low energy bills to their tenants.
The Meander office building was opened in the late 1990s and served as a town hall in Nieuwegein (Netherlands) for a long time. In recent years, the complex has been completely renovated and transformed into a residential building with over 250 social rental homes. In order to meet the wishes of future tenants and the requirements of today, each home has its own heat pump and a connection to solar panels. The houses are also gas free (the majority of households in the Netherlands use gas for heating and cooking), so that each resident has an extremely low energy bill and energy consumption is not at the expense of the environment.
The installer NewSolar, responsible for the installation of more than 420 kilowatt peak, equipped each home with 6 solar panels from Trina Solar. For the technology and conversion behind the solar panels, micro-inverters from APsystems were deliberately chosen. By using micro-inverters, it was not necessary to install a separate inverter in each home, so that no unnecessary space was taken up in the homes. This also precludes improper use by the tenant / resident due to the lack of additional electrical equipment in the apartments.
The ability to give each resident access to his or her yield, at virtually no additional cost, was a decisive factor in choosing APsystems.
Only 2 micro-inverters are installed per home, the QS1 and the YC600, to which 4 and 2 solar panels can be connected respectively. By using these micro-inverters, no additional facilities (e.g. wiring) is required per home and a very short installation time is guaranteed. This is made possible thanks to standard integrated Zigbee communication features in all Microinverters and Energy Communication Units (ECU) from APsystems.
Thanks to APsystems’ unique Shared Monitoring, each resident has access to his own yield thanks to a login code via his mobile or tablet, for example. When using the ECU-R (Energy Communication Unit), managing and maintaining an overview and remote monitoring is possible, so services can be easily provided without even paying a visit to the tenants.
Ecological transition report – APsystems, the high tech solar company – published in MANAGEMENT, French magazine, September 2020
/in Press Coverage/by Max BoironDiscover the exclusive interview from Olivier Jacques, President, Global Executive VP at APsystems, who looks back on the background and prospects of APsystems.
Extract: In 2020, APsystems celebrates 10 years as a leader in the microinverter market. A cocktail of innovation and daring, APsystems optimizes photovoltaic installations with state-of-the-art products and monitoring accessible to all. Thanks to its openness and its ability to adapt, the company has positioned itself as a benchmark in its sector in 120 countries and can boast of being profitable since 2012. Camille Erder, journalist for Management meets Olivier Jacques, President, Global Executive VP at APsystems.
Camille Erder: How do you explain the hypergrowth of APsystems?
Olivier Jacques: APsystems started in 2010 as a research laboratory in Silicon Valley. When I took over as Executive VP a little over five years ago, I understood that we had to focus on marketing by opening up internationally and offering simple and connected products. APsystems has strongly contributed to the democratization of the solar energy market thanks to its software accessible to all. Our ability to innovate and adapt has enabled us to export our range of products and services all over the world and to build trusted partnerships with many companies, both in the industrial and tertiary fields and in the residential sector.
The DNA of the company is its profitability and the secret of our success is the regular questioning of our positioning, the free will of our teams and the overall nature of our multicultural company.
Camille Erder: Does the ecological transition impact your projects?
Olivier Jacques: The energy transition pushes us more than ever to innovate in order to provide ecological solutions while preserving user comfort. For us, technology is the answer … APsystems favors interactions with energy suppliers to advance in the ecological transition, by finding alternative energy sources and by adapting our future installations.
Read the entire interview (Available in French).
The camping Igueldo in San Sebastián, Spain moves to self-consumption with APsystems latest microinverter technology
/in Case Studies/by Max BoironEkisolar has equipped 32 bungalows of the Igueldo campsite in self-consumption with ZigBee powered QS1 microinverters.
“The main advantage of APsystems is that it is the technology that best suits this environment. It should be noted that it is an environment quite shaded with lots of trees , and buildings with different locations and orientations so the only possible solution for an environment like this is microinverter technology“. Says José Ignacio Mendoza, Managing Partner of Ekisolar. “The installation took about 2 weeks. This project guarantees a good functioning and certainly for the customer a high profitability” he adds.
We have chosen a solar solution for our campsite because the cost of light has been increasing. Every day we needed to contract more power and with solar panels we will perform self-consumption with an clean viable and profitable energy.
My opinion regarding the development of this project is very positive and we are very happy about how the entire installation led by Ekisolar has been executed. We have already seen that the the project and the installation with APsystems has a shown good result” has said Oscar Arana, Manager of Camping Igueldo.