Solar EPC sector continues to fragment - IHS Markit

July 9, 2019
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The market research firm noted that the three leading EPC firms in 2018, Sterling and Wilson, TBEA Xinjiang Sunoasis and Sungrow Power Supply Co had global market shares of 2.9%, 1.6% and 1.3%, respectively. Image: NextEra

According to the latest ‘Solar EPC and O&M Provider Tracker’ report from IHS Markit, the EPC sector has yet to experience any effective market leaders or consolidation. 

IHS Markit noted that the largest 30 EPC companies installed 19GW of non-residential PV in 2018, which accounted for just 21% of the total global market, down from 23% in 2017, highlighting the ongoing fragmentation of the sector. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The market research firm noted that the three leading EPC firms in 2018, Sterling and Wilson, TBEA Xinjiang Sunoasis and Sungrow Power Supply Co had global market shares of 2.9%, 1.6% and 1.3%, respectively.

The big change was India-based Sterling and Wilson overtaking long-term market leader, TBEA, installing 2.7GW of PV systems in 2018, up 127% from the previous year. 

Josefin Berg, research & analysis manager, Solar & Energy Storage, at IHS Markit  said, “Sterling and Wilson’s rising market share come partly as the result of the company’s continued leadership in India’s expanding photovoltaic (PV) market. EPC solar installations in the country rose by 39 percent last year. However, Sterling and Wilson also benefitted from large overseas projects, most notably the 1.2-gigawatt (GW) Sweihan project in Abu Dhabi—which will be the world’s largest solar plant when operating.”

IHS Markit also noted that the non-residential PV market outside of China increased 34% in 2018, driven by growth in India, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, expanding the global footprint for the EPC and O&M business. 

As a result, seven of the 15 largest companies outside of China—including Sterling and Wilson, ACS, Acciona and BayWa—installed projects in more than one geographical region.

Read Next

February 13, 2026
Inox Clean Energy has partnered with integrated renewable energy platform RJ Corp to expand into Africa’s renewable energy markets.
Premium
February 13, 2026
PV Talk: Charith Konda, energy specialist at IEEFA, says India’s 2026-27 budget aims to “establish a stronger supply chain within the solar and PV cell and module sector,” but warns that “execution is as important as the policy itself.”
February 13, 2026
Germany’s federal network agency (Bundesnetzagentur) has announced the results of its latest ground-mount solar auction, which closed with bids for more than twice as much capacity as was tendered.
February 13, 2026
The US Treasury’s interim Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) guidance is “in line with expectations” according to a US renewable energy supply analyst.
February 13, 2026
Belectric, a subsidiary of European energy company the Elevion Group, will deliver EPC services for a 210MW solar PV portfolio in the UK.
February 12, 2026
US solar EPC SOLV Energy has issued its initial public offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, priced at US$25 per share.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
February 18, 2026
9am PST / 5pm GMT
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA