The acquisition of Power One will position ABB as a leading global supplier of solar inverters – the “intelligence” behind a solar PV system – to a market forecasted by the International Energy Agency to grow by more than 10 percent per year until 2021. This rapid growth is being driven by rising energy demand, especially in emerging markets, rising electricity prices and declining costs.

ABB is betting that growth in emerging markets will revive a solar PV sector struggling with overcapacity and weakening demand in recession-hit Europe.

“Solar PV is becoming a major force reshaping the future energy mix because it is rapidly closing in on grid parity,” said ABB’s CEO, Joe Hogan. “Power-One is a well-managed company and is highly regarded as a technology innovator focusing on the most attractive and intelligent solar PV product. The combination of Power-One and ABB is fully in line with our 2015 strategy and would create a global player with the scale to compete successfully and create value for customers, employees and shareholders.”

“The combination of these two successful companies will create significant value-driven growth based on innovation – which means inverters offer opportunities for differentiation – global reach, high quality and technology leadership,” said Ulrich Spiesshofer, head of ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion division, into which Power-One will be integrated. “The acquisition supports the implementation of the division’s strategy for renewable energy and the goal to build on our strength in power electronics.”