Solar PV inverters from KACO new energy GmbH are in demand in South Korea: the manufacturer, based in Neckarsulm, Germany is the market leader in the Asian country and expects an 80% market share for the current year. The forecasts for the Japanese market are also giving the company cause to feel positive about its position in Asia.

Seoul / Neckarsulm, 14 August 2014 –

In 2013 KACO new energy sold 138 MW of solar PV inverter power to South Korea. With a market share of 45%, the company occupies the top spot among inverter manufacturers. According to information from the Korean Government Power Managing Department the total market was 310 MW; for the current year the forecast is 360 MW. KACO new energy anticipates that in 2014, inverters totalling an output of 284 MW will be supplied to South Korea – the company therefore expects to increase its market share to around 80% for this year.

KACO new energy has been represented with a branch office close to Seoul since 2007, which initially carried out research and development for central inverters. Shortly afterwards, large-scale systems and central inverters began to dominate the marketplace. The company started production and sales in Korea and made a name for itself in the market sector there. As part of the 'Renewable Portfolio Standard' programme (RPS) introduced in 2012, smaller PV systems up to 30 kW and up to 100 kW are now in demand once again.

"This is where our Powador 20.0 TL3 and 60.0 TL3 inverters come into play. 'Made in Germany', we have successfully positioned these devices in the Korean market within a short space of time thanks to our good reputation and are expecting even further growth. The production site at our company's headquarters in Germany is also benefiting from success in Asia as a result", says Ralf Hofmann, Managing Director of KACO new energy GmbH.

Whereas SMA is currently having to cut back a further 600 jobs and Chinese and Japanese manufacturers are only enjoying success in their protected domestic markets, KACO new energy is reaping the benefits of many years' worth of commitment to international PV markets as one of the pioneers of solar PV inverter technology. For example, with its branch office in Tokyo founded in 2013 along with strategic collaborations, the company has even made its mark in Japan – a market that was previously overwhelmingly dominated by domestic manufacturers. By the end of the year, KACO new energy plans to sell 100 MW in the land of the rising sun.

About KACO new energy

KACO new energy is amongst the world's largest manufacturers of solar inverters. With 850 employees and offices in 16 countries, the company offers inverters for every array size from the smallest homes to the largest solar farms of hundreds of Megawatts. KACO new energy is based in Neckarsulm, near Stuttgart, Germany and the production facilities there, in the Americas and Asia have supplied nearly 7 Gigawatts of inverters since 1999. The Company was the first inverter manufacturer to achieve fully carbon-neutral production and is rapidly heading towards power self-sufficiency. KACO new energy also supplies energy storage systems and battery inverters, as well as inverters for combined heat and power plants and CPV systems. KACO new energy is celebrating the Centenary of the original company in 2014.