Enphase Ties Up with SolarWorld to Supply Microinverters - Analyst Blog

Enphase Energy, Inc. (ENPH) and SolarWorld announced that they have entered into a global strategic partnership agreement for the supply of microinverters. The partnership's ultimate focus will be on the development of new solar technologies and state-of-the-art products.

Enphase Energy primarily caters to the solar industry by designing, developing and supplying microinverters which increase energy production and provide reliability. The company delivers its microinverters in 11 countries and has shipped more than 5 million units to date. Microinverters are devices that enable the conversion of direct electrical current to alternating current to facilitate most applications of solar electric power.

Headquartered in Bonn, Germany, SolarWorld manufactures and sells solar power solutions and has operations in Hillsboro, OR, and Freiberg and Arnstadt in Germany. SolarWorld carries out independent research and development and is committed towards providing clean energy solutions worldwide.

Solar World announced that Enphase Energy will be its primary supplier of microinverter systems for its custom-engineered system solutions in the U.S. The partnership will be extended to the distribution networks of both the companies around the world.

The demand for renewable energy is gradually on the rise given the growing awareness of environmental conservation. To tap the rising demand for solar products and services, Enphase Energy is currently expanding its operations through partnerships with various players in the industry.

Recently, Enphase has also partnered with Groupe Solution Energie, a provider of advanced residential solar solutions. The partnership will concentrate on the development of sustainable solar in France, Switzerland and Belgium. Enphase will be the exclusive inverter technology provider for Groupe Solution's advanced solar photovoltaic solutions.

Earlier this month, Enphase Energy entered into an agreement with Puerto Rico's New Energy Consultants to provide affordable solar energy to residential and commercial customers in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean markets.

The Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) expects power production from renewable sources to grow 1.8% in 2014 in the U.S. EIA also expects utility-scale solar capacity to nearly double between 2013 and 2015 which will drive demand for microinverters.

Zacks Rank

Enphase Energy currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in the utility space include American States Water Company (AWR), Aqua America Inc. and (WTR) Artesian Resources Corp. (ARTNA). All these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).