EN 
PT_BR 
The photovoltaic inverter is one of the main items in the solar energy kit. Its function is basically to convert the electrical energy generated by the panels, from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC).
In addition to ensuring the safety of the system and measuring the energy produced by the solar panels, “the inverter will no longer be a purely energy conversion element”, says Pedro Alves, country manager at SMA in Brazil.
According to him, the inverter industry in the world is going through a moment of profound transformation. “The inverter will increasingly incorporate functions of the digital revolution that we are seeing. It ends up being an information and management hub for information generated through energy generation”, explains Alves.
For Alves, there are basically two trends that are driving the global market: price pressure and digitalization of the technology embedded in the inverter. “There are companies, for example, that checked the trends and decided not to stay in the industry. They left the sector because there is in fact great pressure on prices from Asian manufacturers. Another trend, which is digitalization, has to do with the inverter no longer being purely an energy conversion element. This is already a consensus among several manufacturers”, said the SMA country manager.
Due to the transformation scenario in the industry, SMA, a company that produces and sells solar inverters for photovoltaic systems, has been looking for ways to become more competitive over the years. “This meant that, in 2019, we had a significant increase in global revenue, precisely due to these cost reduction measures and improved production efficiency”, commented Alves.
The expert also highlighted the advantages of investing in the photovoltaic sector, which has proven to be more resilient in the face of the Covid-19 crisis. “The solar market will be affected, however, nothing compared to other segments of the industry. Recovery will be quick. So, bet on the photovoltaic market, it has shown growth far above other sectors of the economy”, he concluded.
