Solar EPC sector continues to fragment - IHS Markit

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

September 25, 2026
Nava Limited commissioned a 100MW solar PV project in Zambia through MSEL, with power evacuation to the national grid underway.
September 25, 2026
ESR, a Singapore-headquartered real asset owner and manager focused on logistics real estate and data centres, has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Aquila Clean Energy APAC.
September 24, 2026
Norfund, the Norwegian government’s development finance vehicle, has invested US$100 million into Ampin Energy Transition.
Premium
September 24, 2026
US Policy Focus: PV Tech looks at the Indian AD/CVD determinations, the ban on certain power equipment and other recent developments.
September 24, 2026
ARENA has committed AU$25 million to Equans Solar & Storage for a three-year programme testing construction and operations technologies.
September 23, 2026
The US clean energy sector has gone from creating 100,000 new jobs a year to shedding nearly 40,000 in 2025, according to a report by E2.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
February 2, 2027
London, UK
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye