“The first clear advantage is access to cells”

In October 2018, inverter supplier SolarEdge announced its decision to acquire 75% of South Korean battery manufacturer Kokam for $88 million. The move is indicative of power electronics manufacturers’ desire to strengthen their battery cell supply, and to capture more of the value stream. SolarEdge founder Lior Handelsman says that the low cobalt requirement of Kokam’s lithium-ion cell chemistry was one of the reasons the company was an attractive acquisition target.