April 21 , 2006

Tokyo, Japan: Mitsubishi Electric to Introduce Inverters in European PV Market

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation will introduce two new independently developed and manufactured photovoltaic inverters to the European market. Distribution will begin in September 2006, and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation says that it will be the first Japanese manufacturer to do so for that market.

Mitsuhishi Electric forecasts sales of 5,000 units in 2006 in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.

Mitsubishi Electric started research and development of photovoltaic inverters in 1981 in collaboration with NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) and other electric utilities companies. In its 25 years of business history, it has been actively involved in developing and disseminating photovoltaic inverters to the Japanese market, and in the beginning of this year introduced a new model to that market with 95.5 % efficiency, the highest in the industry.

However, in overseas markets, Mitsubishi Electric has had limited involvement in photovoltaic inverters, to date only supplying PV modules themselves. This has been due to differences in power grids, installation conditions and safety certifications.

With the launch of Mitsubishi Electric’s independently developed and manufactured photovoltaic inverters to the European market, Mitsubishi expects stable growth, and aims to strengthen its photovoltaic power generation system business in the world’s largest market.

Mitsubishi Electric will develop and manufacture its photovoltaic inverters for the European market at its Nakatsugawa Works (Gifu-prefecture, Japan) utilizing its many years of experience in photovoltaic inverters and recent market research on the European market. Production will start with two, indoor installation models with what the company says are highly efficient, reliable and safe inverters in the first year, then expanding into other lineups including outdoor installation models.

By establishing sales and service departments in Germany and Italy specializing in photovoltaic business, Mitsubishi hopes to improve support to customers. With additional product lineups and certification, Mitsubishi intends to expand into other markets such as Spain.

Milestones of Mitsubishi Electric’s photovoltaic inverters business

1981 Started commercial inverter R & D with NEDO and electric utilities
1982 Started delivery of photovoltaic inverters
1983 Delivered 1000 kW centralized system (Saijo, Ehime) 200kW x 1, 400kW x 2
1987 Started residential inverter R & D
1996 Started production and sales of photovoltaic inverters for residential system
1997 Awarded the New Energy Vanguard 21 prize for photovoltaic inverter for residential system
2000 Launched 10 kW inverter unit for industrial system
2002 Launched residential photovoltaic inverter for outdoor installation and booster unit
2004 Launched small capacity residential photovoltaic inverter for outdoor installation
2005 Launched industrial photovoltaic inverter with operation data monitoring system Established a new plant for residential inverter in Nagano city
2006 Launched 95.5 % efficiency model for domestic market, the highest in the industry Will launch photovoltaic inverters for European market

Further details about: Mitsubishi Electric