IMS Research forecasts a 2012 PV inverter market of nearly 32GW, but the analysis firm says industry revenues are only expected to grow 3% this year to $7bn, after shrinking in 2011.

“Inverter prices will see another double-digit drop in 2012, partly driven by product mix change, and shifts in demand to lower cost countries, but also standard price erosion as major markets stagnate," Ash Sharma, IMS Research PV practice director, says in a statement.

Two