Interview from Dr Ling, co-founder and Chairman at APsystems

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.

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Happy Holidays from APsystems!

Best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a very bright and happy New Year.

– Your friends at APsystems

APsystems 2019 New Year Promotion for Australia & New Zealand Solar Installers

Dear Valued Installer,

APsystems is excited to announce that the 2019 New Year Promotion program for Australia & New Zealand is here! This outstanding program leaves you with no excuses not to try the most advanced microinverter in the world: the APsystems YC600.

For every 6 YC600 microinverters that you purchase from APsystems you will receive 1 FREE ECU-R .

That’s right: Every 6 pcs APsystems YC600 microinverters you purchase from APsystems or its distributor, will earn you a free ECU-R. The free devices will be sent to you with your order.

The ECU-R collects module performance data from each microinverter unit and transfers this information to an online database in real time, requiring only an Internet connection (via wired CAT5 or Wi-Fi) and power cable. Through the APsystems Energy Monitoring and Analysis (EMA) cloud-based service, the ECU-R gives the homeowner precise analysis of each microinverter and module in their solar installation. The ECU-R is small and compact, for better aesthetics and installation flexibility.

ECU-R features include:

  • Modual level monitoring
  • Enables web-based monitoring and control
  • Flexible networking with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or mobile

There’s never been a better time to bring APsystems microinverters to your customers.  Place your order today for prompt fulfillment!

See the full Terms and Conditions here.

For complete promotion program details email frank.fan@altenergy-power.com.

Great News: APsystems Offers a Fantastic Promotion for Australia & New Zealand Solar Installers

Dear Valued Australian & New Zealand Customers,

APsystems is excited to announce that a fantastic promotion program is coming to Australia & New Zealand! This outstanding program offers you the best chance to try the most advanced solar microinverter in the world: the APsystems YC600.

For every 12 YC600 microinverters purchased from APsystems in Australia or New Zealand, you will receive one YC600 microinverter and one ECU absolutely free! The promotion runs from October 1,2018 to November 31, 2018.

The YC600 is a true utility-interactive microinverter with Reactive Power Control (RPC) technology, approved for the CEC’s list. The YC600 sets a bold new standard for solar microinverter technology, boasting an unprecedented 600VA peak output and accommodating 60- and 72-cell PV modules. With a wider MPPT voltage range than competing brands, YC600 provides greater energy harvest for homeowners. The YC600 builds on the successful APsystems line of multi-module microinverters, simplifying installation while reducing installation costs and time on the job site.

There’s never been a better time to bring APsystems YC600 microinverters to your customers. Place your order with APsystems today for prompt fulfillment!

Please refer to full Terms and Conditions of the promotion Program.

For more details, email info.aunz@apsystems.com. See the full Terms and Conditions here.

 

 

APsystems Exhibits at All-Energy Australia 2018-October 3-4!

All-Energy Australia 2018, one of world’s largest PV conventions, comes to Melbourne on Oct. 3-4 – and APsystems will be there in force.

Join APsystems at our enhanced, interactive booth 2738, where we’ll bring you the most advanced microinverter YC600, and the Energy Communication Unit ECU-C and ECU-R.

The APsystems YC600 is a true utility-interactive microinverter with Reactive Power Control (RPC) technology. It sets a bold new standard for solar microinverter technology, boasting an unprecedented 600VA peak output and accommodating 60- and 72-cell PV modules. A wider MPPT voltage range than competing brands means greater energy harvest for homeowners, and the unit is shelled in a rugged, NEMA 6/IP67, powder-coated aluminum enclosure, bucking today’s trend of plastic casings.

Both ECU-C and ECU-R are the information gateway for APsystems microinverters. The ECU-C is designed for commercial projects and the ECU-R for residential installations. Ideal for single- or three-phase commercial solar applications, the ECU-C features an anti-backflow safety control function and a built-in smart meter to precisely measure power production. The ECU-R collects module performance data from each microinverter unit and transfers this information to an online database in real time, requiring only an Internet connection (via wired CAT5 or Wi-Fi) and power cable.

 

We look forward to seeing you all at All-Energy 2018!

Date: 3-4 October
Booth#:2738
Venue: Melbourne Convention& Exhibition Center 2 Clarendon St.
Southbank VIC 3006 Melbourne, Auatralia

APsystems to Launch QS1 Four-Module 1200W Microinverter at Solar Power International, USA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEATTLE, Wa.; ROTTERDAM, Netherlands; JIAXING, China – August 27, 2018 – APsystems will unveil the QS1, a four-module, single phase microinverter for residential applications at the Solar Power International trade show in Anaheim, USA. A new design for APsystems, the QS1 offers 75% faster installation time, while offering the highest peak output power and up to 3X faster transmission speed than conventional microinverters. A wider MPPT voltage range will result in a greater energy harvest for homeowners.

The first of its kind, the QS1 is designed to accommodate today’s high output PV panels, offer enhanced capability and significantly reduce installation time and costs while providing an unprecedented level of power with four independent MPPT per channel. Common AC trunk cabling with the dual-module YC600, offers flexible mix-and-match compatibility on the same circuit and with the same gateway (ECU-R or ECU-C).

The unit also builds on the successful APsystems line of multi-module microinverters, offering reduced logistics costs and integrated communication and connection features.

The new microinverter will debut at the APsystems booth #2838 September 25-27 at SPI, USA.

APsystems Launches Website Servicing Australia and New Zealand

APsystems recently launched its dedicated website for the Australia and New Zealand market, to better serve customer needs in the region previously supported by the global APsystems website. Users can visit the new website at: aunz.apsystems.com.

APsystems is proud to have been one of the first microinverter suppliers to enter the Australia/New Zealand market more than 7 years ago. The new website supports the APsystems office in Sydney, established in 2011 to reinforce regional services and warehousing.  The website is also a comprehensive resource, offering information about APsystems products, news, and installations for Australia and New Zealand.

APsystems now offers dedicated websites for several regional markets including Europe/Middle East/Africa, Asia Pacific & Rest of World, China, Canada, USA, Latin America and Australia/New Zealand. From the APsystems website, select “Worldwide Locations” to visit the site of a specific region, and to find out more about local APsystems offices, distribution partners and product information.

Take our 2018 questionnaire and enter to win $500 credit!


Are you an APsystems installer, contractor or distributor? Do you use, specify, purchase, market or install solar inverter products? Yes, well then take a few minutes to complete this questionnaire, and you will be eligible to win $500 credit on your next order with APsystems.

It’s this easy: By answering all questions in the short questionnaire, you’ll help us better understand customer needs and improve our products and services.

The questionnaire closes August 17, 2018- please share your opinions today.

To thank you for participating, we’ll enter you in a drawing for our prize of $500 credit.

Join APsystems at SNEC 2018 in Shanghai, May 28-30

SNEC 2018, one of world’s largest PV conventions, comes to Shanghai on May 28-30 – and APsystems will be there in force.

SNEC is an ideal platform for PV companies to share their products and services, drawing technology leaders from across the global industry to spark ideas and innovation. Distributors, installers and manufacturers can keep on top of the latest policies and issues impacting the international renewable production and storage markets.

Come and see the APsystems MLPE technology and products line at booth E7-570.
More activities and giveaways will be offered throughout the event.

Venue: Shanghai New International Expo Centre, 2345 Longyang Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201204, P.R.C.

We look forward to sharing this special event with you!

Join APsystems for YC600 Microinverter Training for CPD Credit

APsystems and AC Solar Warehouse will present a new series of YC600 microinverter product and installation training sessions for Australian installers, from May 14th to 18th , available times and places to be announced.

This dynamic presentation will include the YC600 microinverter system design, ECU-C and ECU-R product introduction, monitoring setup, tools of the trade, and hands-on training.  APsystems new product technical roadmap will also be shared at the training courses.

Join and find out how APsystems YC600 microinverters can simplify your next PV installation, saving you time and money on the job site while improving the power and reliability of the array.

Installers who attend this training course will get 25 CPD credits approved by CEC. The CPD program enables installers to maintain the current knowledge base and encourages continuous updating of skills and knowledge. Click here for details.

To register or indicate your interest in this event, please email info.apac@APsystems.com.