With energy storage gaining prominence on the regional energy agenda, APsystems is starting to look beyond distributed generation, so Gustavo Marín anticipated that the company is already considering launching utility-scale storage solutions.
During an exclusive interview with Energía Estratégica, he revealed that the strategy relies on developments that are operational in Asia, while deepening its commitment to commercial, industrial and residential storage in Latin America.
Is APsystems already thinking about making the leap to utility-scale storage?
Yes, it's one of the steps we're considering. We have BESS solutions in configurations of 200 kilowatts, 400 kilowatts, 2 megawatts, and 5 megawatts. It's already part of our strategy.
Today, this development is progressing in Asia, and many installations are already operational, including successful projects of up to 25 MW. The goal is to replicate this globally.
And will Latin America be included in that roadmap?
Absolutely, we want to reach that point. First, we aim to consolidate this experience globally and, once validated and operational, replicate it in Latin America. Our goal is for the region to benefit from this technological evolution once we have more experience in utility storage.
When you have meetings with clients in the region, what are they specifically asking for and what changed in those conversations?
Things have changed a lot. Before, the conversation revolved around microinverters or solar power generation. Today, we arrive at meetings where the client already understands that and directly asks: "I already have microinverters, now I want to integrate storage, how do I do it?"
That's the biggest change we see. The market has matured. We no longer need to evangelize about photovoltaics; now the demand is for optimizing it with storage. That's where we come in, explaining how the solution works and how it integrates.
Was that request what led them to develop new solutions?
Exactly. For 15 years we focused on microinverters, but we saw that growing need and started developing products to meet that demand. Today the market is pushing for that evolution.
What are they presenting at RE+ Mexico?
We are introducing off-grid systems, higher-power microinverters, and energy storage solutions for the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. The goal is to demonstrate that we are no longer just a microinverter company; we are expanding our offering to include more comprehensive energy solutions.
Are these releases intended for Latin America?
Yes, for all of Latin America. Brazil is even a step ahead and serves as a spearhead, but the objective is regional.
What are the priority markets for APsystems in this new phase?
Brazil is a key market. Next come Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. We also see significant opportunities to resume growth in Argentina, Chile, and Peru. These are markets where we want to deepen our presence, especially as warehousing becomes more important.
From those priority markets you mention, how do you see the progress of distributed generation at the regional level today?
We've seen regulatory changes and greater openness in markets where it was previously limited. Support and incentives have helped, allowing self-generation to gain ground. It's also true that electoral processes in some countries create uncertainty and, at times, slow down decisions or investments. But even within this context, we see a trend toward greater openness in the region.
If you had to point to a model regulation, which one would you highlight?
Unfortunately, none. There are still many restrictions on photovoltaic generation. In many cases, the traditional energy provider remains very protective of distributed generation, and that limits development.
But it's also true that resources are insufficient, and that's forcing this opening. There we see room for both distributed generation and storage to gain more prominence.
How did 2026 start for APsystems in terms of sales?
It's been better than last year. 2025 was an atypical year, with very low levels, but this year we're seeing a recovery and a more positive business dynamic.
And how do you imagine the end of the year?
We expect to grow throughout Latin America. The political uncertainty I mentioned is impactful, but we still see positive prospects for Latin America.
Beyond the market, how would you define APsystems today in this new stage?
APsystems has always been very focused on microinverter technology. That has been our core business for 16 years. But now, storage is also one of our major objectives. We are becoming more professional in that area and want to grow with that same focus. What I like about the company is precisely that: when we have a goal, we work diligently to achieve it.
What would you like to have happened when we meet again in 2027?
I would like to see greater market penetration throughout Latin America. We know there is more competition and more equipment on the market, but we want to continue standing out as we have in recent years. With innovation and technology, I would like us to have grown even more strongly in the region.
Let's get to the personal level, how did you get into the world of energy?
I'm a communications and electronics engineer, and I've always been fascinated by how equipment works internally. I first worked in telecommunications and then at Flextronics, but my entry into the solar sector was quite unusual: my father gave me a solar water heater, I called around to find out how to install it, and that's how it all began.
Was that the turning point that made you get into renewables?
Yes, absolutely. From there I began to delve deeper into the sector, I even did a master's degree in environmental technologies, which ultimately steered me towards solar energy.
And how did you then come to APsystems?
I previously worked in installation companies, such as Solar Technology, until I joined APsystems, where I will have been for ten years in May.
How did your role within the company grow?
I started as a support engineer, but as the company grew I became involved in other areas, from finance to legal representation.
That allowed me to fully understand how a company works and grow alongside the brand.
To wrap up, is there anything you'd like the market to understand today about where APsystems is headed?
Our vision is to continue growing in Latin America through innovation and an increasingly robust offering. There is more competition, yes, but we want to continue standing out as we have for the past 16 years, now with storage as a central component of that evolution.
FES as the epicenter of the debate
New calls for proposals and opportunities for renewables and storage will be part of the discussion at the Future Energy Summit tour, which will continue with FES Guatemala on May 14 and FES Mexico on May 19, where key actors from the public and private sectors will address the challenges and opportunities linked to the expansion of the energy system, new investment schemes and the execution of strategic projects.
To access the full FES 2026 tour schedule, learn more about it and be part of the meetings, the FES digital platform is available, while all events will have a live broadcast through the official Future Energy Summit YouTube channel.
For inquiries and more information, please contact info@futurenergysummit.com