When uncertain times defy innovation, new opportunities shine brightly for a long time.
This year marks APsystems’ 10th anniversary. While the situation worldwide is facing unexpected challenges on many fronts during this very particular year 2020 with the Coronavirus pandemic, Dr Zhi Min Ling, co-founder and chairman of APsystems, shares his views on his entrepreneurial story with APsystems from its very beginning when the economic effects of the 2008 financial crisis were still strongly present to where APsystems is today, having become the #1 multi-module microinverter supplier in the world. It is as if challenging uncertainty could also be a key in building long-lasting opportunities.
2020 is the year of APsystems celebrating its 1st decade, how does it make you feel?
Fortunate, honored and grateful. It is a major milestone for the company, especially in this very fast-changing inverter industry which is at the crossroads of high-tech microelectronics, energy and environmentally-friendly building sectors. Staying alive is one thing 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. The fact that we have been growing for 10 years while reaching profitability every year since 2012, is primarily down 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.
What encouraged you to set up APsystems? And how has the company evolved over the years?
The company has changed dramatically for sure. We can look at the company’s development in two phases, I think. The foundation 2010 – 2012: it was the very beginning where every priority was focused on setting up our expertise in power electronics conversion designs to create a robust and cost-efficient microinverter solution. Within about two years, we managed to design, manufacture and launch our 1st single and duo microinverter products with the YC250 and YC500 which later became the best-selling duo microinverter worldwide. We set up our headquarters in Jiaxing, China, where we still manufacture our products thanks to the help of TDG group, our main shareholder and share our R&D department between Jiaxing and Cupertino….Then the 2nd phase was characterized by one obsession: how to make APsystems Grow Internationally with no compromise to profitability. Although we are still in this phase with constant profitability every year since 2012, I would say that over the past six years (2013-2019), and especially since Olivier Jacques joined the company in 2015, we have managed to structure ourselves by Business Units on all continents enabling us to serve our customers in more than 80 countries today.
What were the main challenges along the way?
It is quite fascinating to be able to be part of this solar revolution. Helping to make solar an affordable clean energy solution to everyone on this earth is inspiring but of course, the technological challenges are big. If you take communications for example, microinverters manage a considerable number of data points that need to be communicated back from the microinverters through the gateway and to the monitoring platform in the cloud. This means when systems like the YC1000, QS1 and YC600 apply remote firmware upgrades, this creates a demanding bidirectional data flow and traditional powerline communication isn’t going to cut it. This is the reason why we moved our portfolio to high-speed wireless Zigbee, which is up to three times faster than conventional powerline communication (PLC), creating a local 2.4GHz mesh network for fast and reliable data communication between the microinverters and the gateway.
Another constant challenge has been to adapt to increasingly complex market needs. The progressive integration of PV into the electricity networks has required Inverter manufacturers in many countries to release products capable of interacting in real-time with grid operators. Whether it is to adjust the PV production instantaneously, depending on the state of the network, or to prevent any electron from being sent back, performing such a functionality for the coming 20 years in a reliable manner with a product smaller than an A4 sheet and weighing 3kg average is a genuine achievement in technological integration, entailing very sophisticated R&D , manufacturing and testing capabilities.
How is the Pandemic situation affecting your activity?
When the COVID-19 first appeared in China at the beginning of the year, our activities were relatively spared since part of our production comes from outside China, even though a slowdown in manufacturing occurred during a period of about 1 month in the first quarter. The good news is that as we master the production infrastructure, we were able to quickly increase our production rate when the situation improved a few weeks later, ensuring a constant continuity of supply to all our customers and warehouse locations across the world.
Despite the inherent agility of our distributor partners and solar installers staying open and continuing their job as far as possible, we have inevitably been confronted by a slowdown in our sales activity worldwide this quarter. Uncertainty is the most difficult parameter to deal with when it lasts, it is the same for everyone as an individual but it is also a genuine opportunity to confront and challenge ourselves by overtaking obstacles with self-confidence. I strongly believe that the creativity and flexibility of our industry will rapidly lead to recovery during the 2nd half of this year.
What’s next for APsystems?
APsystems is now well recognized for its leadership in multi-module microinverters solutions bringing innovative products to market that are built to last. This is the DNA of the company and will continue to be. We have several new microinverter products planned to be launched in the coming 18 months including a new native 3-phase QUAD microinverter at the end of this year, but our ambition moving forward is also to increase our position in other Module Level Power Electronics. We have recently launched, especially in the United States, APsmart, a new Business Unit that includes advanced safety products such as a Module Level Rapid Shut-Down (MLRSD) device to meet new safety regulations on MW-scale solar projects. The APsmart MLRSD System is a SunSpec Alliance Certified device which maintains constant communication between the RSD and Transmitter, constantly monitoring voltage and current. APsmart offers state-of-the-art PV module rapid shutdown devices (RSD), ideal for any new or existing string or central inverter system, and meeting U.S. NEC 2017 690.12 Rapid Shutdown requirements.
APsystems is also working on a modular AC coupled Energy Storage System (ESS) for residential where priority, similarly to every product we manufacture, is given to high quality & reliability.
APsystems to Exhibit at the Atlantic Canada Solar Summit and Offer Pre-Show Training, December 2-4October 16, 2024 - 10:19 pm
Join APsystems for Happy Hour Events at Electricity Transformation Canada with BayWa re and PolaronSeptember 17, 2024 - 8:46 pm
Join APsystems at the November BayWa r.e. Solar Halifax Road ShowOctober 15, 2024 - 11:15 pm
APsystems Sponsors Lunch at Charge Solar’s Grand Opening in EdmontonSeptember 11, 2024 - 8:31 pm
Improve Solar Business Profitability with Product Flexibility | The PitchApril 12, 2024 - 9:06 pm
APsystems Launches EMA Manager App, an all-in-one application for solar professionals
/in General News, VideoAPsystems introduces the EMA Manager app, a new app to manage APsystems microinverter system commissioning, monitoring and troubleshooting.
Installers can now enhance their customers service capabilities anywhere, anytime via their smartphone or tablet. This app conveniently streamlines monitored system installation while providing installers with many new and improved features for remote site management.
Benefit from all existing features available in the EMA web portal on your smartphone or tablet using a single sign-in. Real-time systems check, diagnostics capabilities and troubleshooting are now coming to your hands with the EMA Manager App. This new app, available on Google Play and APP Store which also includes a revamped ECU_APP, provides additional features including, ECU and microinverter connectivity, energy production, system troubleshooting, and full site configuration and monitoring capability without the need to be on-site.
Included in the new app are installer-specific statistics, including total number of customers, inverters installed, and total energy produced which provides installers with valuable information as well as a unique selling tool to showcase their environmental impact.
The new app is being introduced as APsystems has recently surpassed 100,000 registered installations in more than 120 countries on its EMA platform. As APsystems’ footprint continues to grow worldwide, this app redefines ease of solar inverter installation just as APsystems has redefined simplicity and convenience in its easy-to-install inverter platform.
APsystems Installer Training Webinars – April 2021
/in Events, General News, Training, WebinarsAPsystems will be conducting PART 1 of its system installation training on Tuesday, April 20th at 9am PST/12pm EST covering microinverter installation for its current models. PART 2 will take place on Wednesday, April 21st, at 9am PST/12pm EST and cover ECU set up and EMA walkthrough. This training is at no cost to installers.
PART 1: QS1, YC600 and YC1000 microinverter installation
Attendees will learn the ins and outs of QS1, YC600 and YC1000 microinverters, as well as tips and tricks to streamline their installation. Learn the features and benefits of using APsystems products including installation by a single crew member, reduced overall system cost, faster installation time, fewer SKUs and stocking costs, built-in rapid shutdown compliance, and higher energy harvest over conventional inverters.
PART 2: ECU set up and commissioning, and EMA walkthrough
Our team will take you through the simple and convenient set up of the ECU-R gateway and use of the ECU App. We will then walk you through final step in the EMA web portal and how to navigate those helpful features.
REGISTER HERE
APsystems looks ahead after a record 2020
/in Article, General News, Press CoverageThe microinverter specialist discusses its profitable growth, key milestones, and an ongoing focus on the Latin American market. Published in PV Magazine 31, 2021 MARCH 31, 2021 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 […]
APsystems Global Cumulative Microinverter Shipments Exceed 1GW
/in General NewsAPsystems announces its cumulative global shipments of Microinverter products have exceeded 1GW as of December 31, 2020.
In early 2020, despite the impact of COVID-19, APsystems adjusted its production and business strategy in a timely manner and achieved growth in a number of countries and regions against the global trend. APsystems continues to focus on strong product and market development, and has set its next goal to achieve 1GW of microinverter shipments annually.
Since its establishment, APsystems has been focusing on product quality and meeting customer needs, and has steadily achieved brand awareness and market share, building its path to 1GW. The 1GW shipment represents more than 3.5 million APsystems microinverters shipped worldwide (calculated on a single unit basis), which are expected to generate 1.24 billion kWh a year, reducing greenhouse gases by 910,000 tons of CO2 and equal to the environmental benefits of 45 million trees.
APsystems ranked No. 2 in global market share among top microinverter suppliers by shipments in 2013-2019. APsystems was founded in Silicon Valley in 2010 and has established offices and warehouses in several key regions and countries, forming a global sales and service network. With its fast and steady development over the past 10 years, APsystems maintains sustained profitability every year since 2012 due to its sound financial planning and practices. APsystems R&D personnel account for more than two thirds of the total staff of the company. APsystems has more than 130 approved patents, and our products have obtained a significant number of safety and performance certifications to operate in markets throughout the world. Today, more than 100,000 unique APsystems microinverter systems have been installed and operate well in over 120 countries.
Happy Holidays 2020 from APsystems
/in General NewsWishing you a happy and healthy holiday season
2020 North America Project of the Year Competition – $500 Award
/in Awards, General News2020 presented many challenges for solar installers and for the industry at large. Yet, undaunted, you put our advanced microinverter technology to work for customers throughout the year in markets across the country.
Now it’s time once again to look back on the great solar successes of the past year and share your very best stories with the industry and the world.
APsystems invites you to nominate your North America projects for the 2020 Solar Project of the Year Awards.
Tell us about your very best project – what set it apart in terms of scale, design, power output, challenging conditions, or your creative application of APsystems microinverter technology.
We’d like you to submit the project details here, including a brief write-up about your best installation, or more – enter all the projects you like. Remember to include some high-res photographs and any close-ups showing our microinverters in action. Your project can be completed or still in process. Entries will be judged by our APsystems team.
We’ll be honoring top North America projects in both Residential and Commercial categories.
And we’ll announce the APsystems Solar Project of the Year Award winners early in the new year through announcements and promotions that will highlight your project and your company. APsystems is committed to helping you grow your solar business even as we grow ours, so this is a cross-promotion opportunity you’ll definitely want to take advantage of.
The winner in each category will receive $500.
Our contest last year generated great interest from installers and brought out some fantastic projects; you can see the winners here.
Now we’re excited to present this competition, highlighting the very best APsystems microinverter installations of 2020.
Submit your project entries here by January 8th 2021. Please read the terms and conditions before entering.
If you have any questions, please contact our marketing coordinator.
Thank you for your partnership and support, and for working together through the many challenges of 2020.
Your friends at APsystems USA
New APsystems project references video available
/in General News, VideoDid You Know? APsystems products are installed both in residential and C&I, powering the next generation of Zero-Energy Buildings all over the world. From Europe to Australia, the USA or China, APsystems serves solar professionals in more than 80 countries.
See how APsystems and its installation partners contribute to a more sustainable energy future through solar powered buildings across the world. You can also download our project references PDF overview here.
Interview from Dr Ling, co-founder and Chairman at APsystems
/in Article, General NewsWhen uncertain times defy innovation, new opportunities shine brightly for a long time.
This year marks APsystems’ 10th anniversary. While the situation worldwide is facing unexpected challenges on many fronts during this very particular year 2020 with the Coronavirus pandemic, Dr Zhi Min Ling, co-founder and chairman of APsystems, shares his views on his entrepreneurial story with APsystems from its very beginning when the economic effects of the 2008 financial crisis were still strongly present to where APsystems is today, having become the #1 multi-module microinverter supplier in the world. It is as if challenging uncertainty could also be a key in building long-lasting opportunities.
2020 is the year of APsystems celebrating its 1st decade, how does it make you feel?
Fortunate, honored and grateful. It is a major milestone for the company, especially in this very fast-changing inverter industry which is at the crossroads of high-tech microelectronics, energy and environmentally-friendly building sectors. Staying alive is one thing 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. The fact that we have been growing for 10 years while reaching profitability every year since 2012, is primarily down 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.
What encouraged you to set up APsystems? And how has the company evolved over the years?
The company has changed dramatically for sure. We can look at the company’s development in two phases, I think. The foundation 2010 – 2012: it was the very beginning where every priority was focused on setting up our expertise in power electronics conversion designs to create a robust and cost-efficient microinverter solution. Within about two years, we managed to design, manufacture and launch our 1st single and duo microinverter products with the YC250 and YC500 which later became the best-selling duo microinverter worldwide. We set up our headquarters in Jiaxing, China, where we still manufacture our products thanks to the help of TDG group, our main shareholder and share our R&D department between Jiaxing and Cupertino….Then the 2nd phase was characterized by one obsession: how to make APsystems Grow Internationally with no compromise to profitability. Although we are still in this phase with constant profitability every year since 2012, I would say that over the past six years (2013-2019), and especially since Olivier Jacques joined the company in 2015, we have managed to structure ourselves by Business Units on all continents enabling us to serve our customers in more than 80 countries today.
What were the main challenges along the way?
It is quite fascinating to be able to be part of this solar revolution. Helping to make solar an affordable clean energy solution to everyone on this earth is inspiring but of course, the technological challenges are big. If you take communications for example, microinverters manage a considerable number of data points that need to be communicated back from the microinverters through the gateway and to the monitoring platform in the cloud. This means when systems like the YC1000, QS1 and YC600 apply remote firmware upgrades, this creates a demanding bidirectional data flow and traditional powerline communication isn’t going to cut it. This is the reason why we moved our portfolio to high-speed wireless Zigbee, which is up to three times faster than conventional powerline communication (PLC), creating a local 2.4GHz mesh network for fast and reliable data communication between the microinverters and the gateway.
Another constant challenge has been to adapt to increasingly complex market needs. The progressive integration of PV into the electricity networks has required Inverter manufacturers in many countries to release products capable of interacting in real-time with grid operators. Whether it is to adjust the PV production instantaneously, depending on the state of the network, or to prevent any electron from being sent back, performing such a functionality for the coming 20 years in a reliable manner with a product smaller than an A4 sheet and weighing 3kg average is a genuine achievement in technological integration, entailing very sophisticated R&D , manufacturing and testing capabilities.
How is the Pandemic situation affecting your activity?
When the COVID-19 first appeared in China at the beginning of the year, our activities were relatively spared since part of our production comes from outside China, even though a slowdown in manufacturing occurred during a period of about 1 month in the first quarter. The good news is that as we master the production infrastructure, we were able to quickly increase our production rate when the situation improved a few weeks later, ensuring a constant continuity of supply to all our customers and warehouse locations across the world.
Despite the inherent agility of our distributor partners and solar installers staying open and continuing their job as far as possible, we have inevitably been confronted by a slowdown in our sales activity worldwide this quarter. Uncertainty is the most difficult parameter to deal with when it lasts, it is the same for everyone as an individual but it is also a genuine opportunity to confront and challenge ourselves by overtaking obstacles with self-confidence. I strongly believe that the creativity and flexibility of our industry will rapidly lead to recovery during the 2nd half of this year.
What’s next for APsystems?
APsystems is now well recognized for its leadership in multi-module microinverters solutions bringing innovative products to market that are built to last. This is the DNA of the company and will continue to be. We have several new microinverter products planned to be launched in the coming 18 months including a new native 3-phase QUAD microinverter at the end of this year, but our ambition moving forward is also to increase our position in other Module Level Power Electronics. We have recently launched, especially in the United States, APsmart, a new Business Unit that includes advanced safety products such as a Module Level Rapid Shut-Down (MLRSD) device to meet new safety regulations on MW-scale solar projects. The APsmart MLRSD System is a SunSpec Alliance Certified device which maintains constant communication between the RSD and Transmitter, constantly monitoring voltage and current. APsmart offers state-of-the-art PV module rapid shutdown devices (RSD), ideal for any new or existing string or central inverter system, and meeting U.S. NEC 2017 690.12 Rapid Shutdown requirements.
APsystems is also working on a modular AC coupled Energy Storage System (ESS) for residential where priority, similarly to every product we manufacture, is given to high quality & reliability.
Download the full article here
WEBINAR: Using Microinverters in Commercial Projects
/in Events, General NewsNext Thursday, April 30th, APsystems is hosting a webinar on using microinverters in a commercial environment. This webinar will cover the benefits and how-to for APsystems microinverter offering and why they are a great option for commercial solar projects.
Attendees to this webinar will learn:
Chris Barrett, senior director of technical support, will go into detail on the installation of APsystems microinverters in commercial applications as well as outline the benefits regarding safety, rapid shutdown compliance, system monitoring, higher energy harvest, reliability, system expansion and a variety of other reasons behind the popularity of its microinverters in the commercial MLPE marketplace.
Join us for next Thursday at 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM EST and check out our webinar page to see all the other helpful webinars was have available.
WEBINAR: 10 Critical Things Every Solar Installer Should be Doing Right Now
/in Events, General NewsJoin APsystems for this special event webinar just for solar installers. This webinar is intended to be a helpful checklist of the key things all solar installers should be doing during the COVID Crisis to both weather the current challenges and to prepare for what happens next. The webinar will include everything from training to tools, careers and credits as well as cover the government assistance programs for small businesses like those of many solar installers.
Join us next Tuesday at 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM EST for this helpful and timely webinar. You can learn more about this and other APsystems webinar events on our webinar page.