BP Solar - PLATINUM SPONSOR

BP Solar, the platinum sponsor of EcoGen 2011, has an exciting year ahead in 2011, including growing the BP Solar network across Australia and investing in its Solar Flagship bid for a Moree-based solar farm.

“We believe we have a compelling and competitive module offer, so one of BP Solar’s priorities in 2011 is to continue to help our authorised distributor network grow and to increase the penetration of our BP Solar Certified Installer network around the country,” says Douglas Smith, Marketing Manager of BP Solar Australasia.

“The other key priority is to continue to invest heavily in the development of our Solar Flagship bid, together with our consortium partners Fotowatio and Pacific Hydro. We have a large team who are fully-dedicated to ensuring we deliver the most advanced and robust bid, including support from the highest levels of the global BP organisation.”

At EcoGen 2011, BP Solar will have some new products to announce, following their global launch at Intersolar in June.

BP Solar will also be presenting an exciting ‘new-look’ stand that has been designed to engage visitors while providing private areas to discuss products and services with installers, distributors and potential commercial and utility-scale customers.

The biggest change to have taken place within BP Solar over the last ten years has been in its manufacturing strategy.

“Over the last three years we have transitioned to a global de-centralised manufacturing strategy with a mixed supply chain. We have a joint venture plant in China which forms the hub of our manufacturing and that is complemented by another joint venture plant in India with further capacity in Mexico and Europe,” says Mr Smith.

This has allowed BP Solar to reshape product strategy, continue to drive down costs and increase flexibility to respond quickly to changes in market demand.

“In addition, we have advantaged silicon supply agreements in place, which together with our key manufacturing partnerships, are now delivering highly competitive module pricing.”

According to BP Solar, the main focus for 2012 and beyond will be Solar Flagships and product innovation.

Mr Smith says “If we win the Solar Flagship project, delivering Phase 1 of that project in 2012 will be a critical focus for us and the broader BP organisation.”

As well as developing commercial and utility-scale offers, BP Solar will continue to help distributors and installers build their businesses sustainably.

However, 2012 will be an especially exciting year for BP Solar on the product front.

Now that the new manufacturing strategy has bedded down, BP Solar are finalising a raft of product innovations that will bring the company back to the forefront of the industry.

“This is happening against the backdrop of an aggressive drive to lower costs, which will ensure our installers have a premium brand offer at a price that meets Australian market expectations,” says Mr Smith.

Trina Solar - GOLD SPONSOR

For Trina Solar, a Gold Sponsor of EcoGen 2011, its location in Queensland holds exciting prospects.

“EcoGen2010 was a great show for us. It allowed us to make a lot of new contacts, but also engage with current customers. We are very pleased to see that this year’s show will be held in Queensland. We have quite a strong market share in Queensland, but have never attended any shows in this state. It will be a good opportunity for us to meet our customers and owners of Trina Solar panels,” says John Susa, Australian Country Manager for Trina Solar.

Reflecting on Trina Solar’s progress over the past decade, Mr Susa says “Ten years is a long time, especially in the solar industry, and even more so for a Chinese company.

“For example, at the time of our initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in December 2006, Trina Solar had just over 1,300 employees. It now has 13,000 employees worldwide. In the span of four years, Trina Solar has established itself as one of the leading solar company’s worldwide.” spwr_logo.tif

SunPower - SILVER SPONSOR

At EcoGen 2011, SunPower will be featuring its SunPower E 19 Solar Panels, the most efficient solar panels on the market today.

SunPower will also showcase examples of its residential, commercial and utility-scale installations, along with service and product offerings. At the SunPower booth, expert sales, marketing and technical staff will be on hand to answer your questions.

SunPower says that its focus for 2012 and beyond is to deliver the highest efficiency, highest reliability solar systems in the world, with guaranteed performance.

Weidmüller - SPONSOR

Andrew Finch, Managing Director of Weidmüller, says that all the company’s latest developments in solar photovoltaic (PV) asset protection, power generation optimisation and process monitoring equipment will be on display at their booth at EcoGen 2011. Demonstrations of real-time monitoring of system processes that enable efficiency optimisation will also be on display.

“Protection of valuable equipment against transient voltages can be achieved by installing appropriate surge protection devices. Weidmüller has a long history in lightning and surge protection technologies. These devices, designed especially for PV systems, will be featured at EcoGen 2011 along with testing equipment that ensures continual protection is maintained,” says Mr Finch.

Over the past ten years, Weidmüller’s long-term commitment and experience in the traditional energy sector has expanded to encompass the renewable energy sector.

Mr Finch says “Weidmüller’s major focus on complementary applications engineering for the renewable energy market has ensured that we will continue to deliver what is required by industry, to the highest standards of reliability, integrity and customer satisfaction.”

Fronius Australia SILVER SPONSOR

At its booth at EcoGen 2011, Fronius will be showcasing the newly-accredited IG Plus V and TL transformerless inverter series.

“These next generation inverters offer constant high efficiency levels over a wide input voltage range. The new ventilation concept ensures cooled air does not come into contact with the internal electronics. Disruptive ambient factors such as dust or moisture remain on the outside,” says David Hart, Managing Director of Fronius Australia.

“Our inverters are compatible with nearly all module configurations because of their wide input voltage range, galvanic isolation (not required for the TL series), standard grounding option, and integrated direct current disconnect as well as precise maximum power point tracking features.”

Over the past ten years, Fronius has developed from a medium-sized company to a globally-operating corporation with over 3,200 employees, and has founded 17 international subsidiaries.

EXHIBITORS PREVIEW

Bosch Solar Energy

With about 2,000 employees and a head office in Erfurt, Germany, Bosch Solar Energy is currently the newest business division in the Bosch Group. From solar cells and modules to complete solar power plants, Bosch Solar Energy offers high-grade photovoltaic products.

The major changes that have occurred over the past ten years have been the founding of Bosch Solar Energy in 2008. In this year, Bosch Solar Energy also went from being a solar cell producer to a system supplier.

At EcoGen 2011, Bosch Solar Energy wants delegates to see that Bosch Solar Energy has arrived in Australia.

“We will give delegates an overview of our product portfolio and showcase some of our modules.”

REDSET

2011 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for REDSET.

REDSET says that in 2011 the company aims to maintain commitment to selling premium quality solar equipment from countries including Germany, Korea and China.

“Premium brands such as SMA, Symphony and Suntech are class-leading and have a positive brand image for our vast clientele.”

REDSET is also opening a warehouse in Melbourne at the end of April, which the company says supports it’s focus on supplying stock efficiently.

At EcoGen 2011, REDSET will be showcasing a new and improved railing system.

“This system allows installations to be adaptive and efficient. Our quality solar products from brands including SMA, Suntech and Symphony will be featured. REDSET senior management will also be present for the show,” says REDSET.

Impact Solar

According to Impact Solar, the company has two top priorities for 2011:

1. To grow the business to quadruple its current size. As the Queensland Distributor of the BYD solar product range, this is not only possible but quite feasible considering the quality product range. 2. To commence the BYD LED division, which includes LED Solar Street Lights and the LED range for commercial applications.

As for major changes that have taken place over the past decade, Impact Solar remarks that this is an interesting question.

“Most wholesalers of solar equipment have only commenced in the solar industry within the last couple of years. The directors of BYD Solar have been retailing solar equipment since 1989, and this is not hot water systems but solar modules,” says Impact Solar.

However, three years ago the directors decided to wholesale only, and this is the focus now for Impact Solar.

Sun-Earth

Sun-Earth has announced that at EcoGen 2011, the company will be featuring both a new display that was introduced late in 2010, as well as a new 250 watt mono-crystalline panel.

Sun-Earth says that the company has delivered many new key components in it’s manufacturing plants – introducing full automation across every aspect our production line.

“Throughout this we have also increased our production capacity from 25 megawatt (MW) to 650 MW in 2010, and with continued investment we aim to reach 1,000 MW by 2012, ensuring that Sun-Earth maintains it status as a world leader in photovoltaic.”