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

May 6, 2026
Scatec has established an equity partnership with the National Bank of Egypt for its Obelisk 1.1GW solar and 100MW/200MWh BESS project.
May 5, 2026
Masdar has signed an agreement with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) to accelerate the deployment of more than 30GW of solar PV capacity and over 8GW of battery storage in the UAE. 
May 5, 2026
PV inverter producers are adapting their manufacturing strategies to navigate changing policy and regulations, according to PV Tech Research.
May 5, 2026
The Dutch government is planning to introduce a feed-in-tariff that will require large electricity producers to pay towards the cost of the electricity grid.
May 5, 2026
Solex Energy has signed an MoU with the Government of Gujarat to establish a 5GW solar cell manufacturing facility alongside a 10GW energy storage plant in the state.  
Premium
May 5, 2026
April 2026 delivered a continuation of Australia's seasonal solar contraction as the NEM moved deeper into autumn.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
May 20, 2026
Porto, Portugal
Upcoming Webinars
May 27, 2026
9am BST / 10am CEST
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
June 3, 2026
National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
August 25, 2026
São Paulo, Brazil