Soltecture cited for entrepreneurship

LONDON -- Based on its recent analysis of the photovoltaic solar market, Frost & Sullivan recognises Soltecture GmbH with the 2010 European Frost & Sullivan Award for Entrepreneurial Company of the Year.

"In an intensely competitive market, Soltecture GmbH has transformed its business from a mere module manufacturer to a complete system solutions provider," notes Frost & Sullivan research analyst Neelam Patil. "Going beyond its core competency of producing high quality, thin-film solar modules, Soltecture now provides modules complete with mountings and cables, marking an enterprising transformation."

Soltecture’s approach towards becoming a complete system solution provider is mainly focused on the idea of optimising the overall system cost and delivering more value to its customers.
For instance, the company's new flat roof system "Tectum", when delivered, is already pre-fabricated, laminated, directly glued to the sub-structure and completely commissioned with the cables already in the right locations for easy connection. Key benefits of this approach include easier, faster and more cost-effective installation.

Soltecture has also employed a differentiated sales model for mature and emerging markets. For emerging markets, the company is focused on educating customers about CIGS technology and Soltecture's German-made product line through, what the company terms, challenger distributors -- distribution partners.

In mature markets, Soltecture has launched an online marketing platform where customers can access a highly sophisticated tool that takes into account the regulatory requirements of the roof. It designs the installation according to local legal requirements in each country, including all the paperwork.

"This is currently available for only one solution, although Soltecture is planning to expand it for all system solutions and across different markets so that users can benefit from a one-stop-shop experience where, at the end of the configuration exercise, clients can get a complete design and customised pricing for their project," remarks Patil. "This marketing platform reduces the need for field sales staff, while facilitating better control over the average selling price."

A continual focus on innovation has also been a hallmark of Soltecture's success. Among the various photovoltaic technologies, CIS is the only technology that has shown a lab conversion efficiency of over 20%. In 2010, the company started producing its generation 2 modules with selenium instead of sulphur to attain higher module efficiencies.

Soltecture has achieved champion module aperture area efficiency of 13.4% and continues to work on optimising other parts of the process. The company aims to reach 14% module aperture area efficiency by mid-2012.
"Soltecture definitely finds itself in the group of top contenders where only a few other competitors have achieved better efficiencies than Soltecture," elaborates Patil. "Based on the fact that the company has been doing the CIGSe technology only for around a yeaMiesten kengät laajasta valikoimasta