Q CELLS expands its portfolio for business
customers in Germany, now offering direct marketing of solar power from PV
plants of 100 kWp and up. This new offer complements Q CELLS’ existing
portfolio of high performance solar modules based on its proprietary Q.ANTUM
technology and its self-developed Q.FLAT-G5 installation system for flat
roofs. Now, companies looking to use solar power to increase their
sustainability and gain a competitive edge can turn to Q CELLS as their
one-stop shop for a complete solar power solution.
Small and medium-sized businesses in Germany have long since recognized the
potential of solar power. In 2018, solar systems in the 100 to 750 kWp range
claimed a 47%* market share – the biggest segment in the German solar
market. With over 560 MWp, most of the sales went to PV systems between 600
and 750 kWp. Companies are powerful drivers behind the growth of solar
energy in Germany and thus behind the energy turnaround in the country.
Considering the extremely low electricity production costs of solar power,
however, this market segment still holds a great deal of untapped potential.
The goal is therefore to make solar power more accessible to small and
medium-sized businesses and eliminate current obstacles. One such obstacle
clearly is the regulation stating that surplus power generated by PV systems
between 100 and 750 kWp must be marketed directly within the EEG (Renewable
Energy Act), i.e. sold to a power company, to a direct client or on the
electricity exchange. Compliance can be costly and complicated. In addition
to the installer, the company operating the solar system has to find an
additional contractor to engage in directly marketing towards the
electricity exchange market. This obstacle affects small- to medium-sized
businesses in particular, keeping many of them out of the solar power game,
despite the competitive advantages offered by low-cost, sustainable
electricity.
“Q CELLS positions itself as the solar partner for Germany’s business
community”
Now, Q CELLS is offering its partners, as well as business customers and
communities in Germany, this direct marketing option and thus, a turn-key
solutions for sustainably cutting down electric costs through solar power. Q
CELLS has long been combining its proven high performance solar modules,
based on its proprietary Q.ANTUM technology, with its very own Q.FLAT-G5
flat roof system – both developed in Germany. These individually optimised
solar systems allow for significantly reduced energy costs per kWh (LCOE)
attributed to a high power yield, as well as long module and mounting
system service lives. By adding the option of directly marketing any power
that is generated and not used, Q CELLS now offers companies all the
components and services they need, making solar power more accessible to the
German business community.
“With solar power, companies in Germany can sustainably reduce their energy
costs, making them even more competitive,” notes Sven Stoffers, Q CELLS
Sales Manager for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. “To do this, they need a
partner that can make the switch to solar easier by offering them a
top-quality, turn-key solutions from a single source – everything from the
module to the system and all the services involved. That’s just what Q CELLS
is offering in collaboration with our Q.PARTNERs. We want to be known as the
solar partner for Germany’s business community”.
Direct marketing with Q CELLS
For businesses, Q CELLS direct marketing service is perfectly simple. First,
the company uses as much low-cost solar power as possible from their own PV
system. Any surplus power they generate, they sell to Q CELLS. They also get
to take advantage of the associated market premium paid by the state to
commercial operators of PV systems. The necessary hardware for direct
marketing is available from Q CELLS or can be selected from a different
supplier. Q CELLS then sells the power on the electricity exchange and hands
the revenue, minus a service fee, back to the operator of the PV system. The
monthly fees for systems between 100 and 750 kWp are fixed rates in the
range of 60 to 110 euros, depending on the size of the system, thus
providing planning reliability to the customer. All it takes is a contract
with Q CELLS, and that can be done in a snap. Q CELLS’ direct marketing
service is available to any commercial client installing a new PV system, as
well as operators of existing systems.
“The advantages of our direct marketing offer are pretty obvious,” remarks
Florian Schmidt, Business Development Manager Energy Solutions at Q CELLS.
“The customer gets complete transparency with regard to how much profit
their PV system brings in. They no longer have to worry about finding a
separate contractor to handle the direct marketing side of things. They can
use their own hardware or purchase it straight from Q CELLS, and they’re off
and running in no time. But the biggest advantage to the customer has to be
the fact that with Q CELLS, they get a complete solution from a single
source”.
About Q CELLS
Q CELLS is one of the world’s largest and most recognized photovoltaic
manufacturers for its high-performance, high-quality solar cells and
modules. It is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and
Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ) with its diverse
international manufacturing facilities in the U.S, Malaysia, China, and
South Korea. Q CELLS offers the full spectrum of photovoltaic products,
applications and solutions, from cells and modules to kits to systems to
large-scale solar power plants. Through its growing global business network
spanning Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle
East, Q CELLS provides excellent services and long-term partnerships to its
customers in the utility, commercial, governmental and residential markets.
For more information, visit: http://www.q-cells.com.
