Bosch Solar Energy AG has extended its growth streak and is consistently strengthening its presence in key European markets. This includes the recent signing of new contracts with specialized wholesalers in the field of renewable energies, SEN Solare Energiesysteme Nord and electronics wholesaler EWS from Schleswig-Holstein as new sales partners. “Our partners offer a wide range of experience in the photovoltaic sector, extensive service offerings, and outstanding consultancy services for installers. With their quality and performance standards, they are perfectly suited for the Bosch brand,” emphasizes Holger von Hebel, CEO at Bosch Solar Energy.
The company has released a free new app to support its distribution partners: "Bosch Solar To Go". It brings together all necessary information – from spec sheets and technical documentation to product brochures and video material to support sales – ready to be sent via email with just one click. The new "Bosch Solar To Go" app is available in German and English and will first be released for the Apple iPad.
Greater presence in Europe
At the same time Bosch Solar Energy is working to expand its own presence on key European markets. This includes for example the new production facility for crystalline solar modules that was brought online in mid-March in Vénissieux, France. The facility, build in just eight months, boasts a peak capacity of 150 megawatts and employees up to 200 workers. It is the largest and most modern module production facility in France. "France has very good conditions for harnessing solar energy. The southern part of the country in particular has very strong sunshine. With our own local production, a broad catalog of modules and the strong Bosch brand, the conditions are excellent to stand as one of the leading providers on the market," Holger von Hebel notes. The production lines on the new factory can be flexibly reconfigured to produce five different types of monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar modules.
A new sales office will also be opened in Turkey this summer. Turkey is a highly attractive market, with both its strong annual sunshine and strongly growing energy needs. The Bosch Solar Energy offices in Turkey will be focused on the planning and establishment of turnkey solar parks. Turnkey solar parks from Bosch with a peak capacity of 50 megawatts are also currently being built in the Bulgarian town of Kazanlak. The company acquired the rights for the park projects. The first stage of construction, involving 25 megawatts of output, will go online at the end of this month. These solar parks cover 1.4 million square meters of surface. The facility features 105,000 crystalline Bosch modules and will produce approx. 34 million kWh of power annually, enough to power almost 10,000 households. "We are optimistic that we will be able to start on the second stage of construction in the second half of this year, representing another 25 megawatts at peak. This step will depend on changes to the feed-in tariff being decided by the Bulgarian government in June," says Holger von Hebel.
Since 2009, Bosch Solar Energy has also been developing and implementing solar power plants worldwide on behalf of private and institutional investors. These plants feature fully developed technologies and appropriate operating efficiency. TÜV Thüringen has certified Bosch Solar Energy as a specialist for planning, project management and erection of photovoltaic facilities. This is yet another confirmation of the high performance standards at Bosch Solar Energy, from planning to project management, first-time startup and inspection to service and maintenance of solar power plants.
Complete crystalline product spectrum at Intersolar
Intersolar 2012 will mark the first time that Bosch Solar Energy has brought together its entire line of crystalline products with modules from the production facilities in Germany and France. The modules are produced in both factories on similar production lines and in compliance with the same Bosch quality assurance guidelines. The result is uniform performance, reliability and service lives. Identical guarantee and warranty conditions apply.
Among the highlights are the high-performance “Bosch Solar c-Si M 60 EU42117” modules for installation on private rooftops or commercial industrial buildings and outdoor spaces. It is perfect for all locations, offering stable long-term yields and optimal usage of surface space. The high-yield modules feature the latest generation of monocrystalline high-performance "Bosch Solar Cell M 3BB C4 1200" cells, with selective emitter technology to ensure a broader spectrum of use and the new light harvesting string (LHS) with a vertical pyramid structure to increase light reflection on the cells. TÜV Rheinland certified the stability of the modules even in the vicinity of the ocean as well as in agricultural environments.
Another new product is the "Bosch Solar Rack Air Fix f" for framed modules. The innovative on-roof system for commercial flat rooftops was developed in cooperation with Bosch Rexroth. The base frame for the solar unit features a simple construction using a minimum of components to keep the weight down to an exceptional 11.4 kilograms per square meter, including the module. That allows even rooftops with little extra carrying capacity to be safely used for photovoltaic systems and for previously unused spaces to be developed. "Air Fix f" requires no additional fastening to the surface of the roof. Its module construction allows the system to be used on flat rooftops of various size and shapes. This ensures optimal energetic use of the available surface space with minimal load on the roof.
You will find the Bosch Solar Energy highlights at Intersolar 2012 in Hall A2, Stand 380.