Tokyo-based Solar Frontier - the largest manufacturer of CIS (copper indium selenium) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solar modules – says that its subsidiary Solar Frontier Europe GmbH of Munich, Germany has opened an office in London, enabling it to scale up its residential and commercial rooftop and power plant business in the UK (meeting local demand for solar energy solutions and services). The firm says that the new branch demonstrates its continued commitment to the European market, in particular the UK (one of the fastest-growing solar markets in Europe).
"The UK office is an important step in Solar Frontier's global expansion strategy to further grow our business in key global markets," says Solar Frontier Europe's managing director Wolfgang Lange. "We look forward to developing CIS solar power solutions alongside our partners in the UK with the high level of commitment and service that differentiates Solar Frontier even in its home market of Japan, where demands for quality are formidable."
Solar Frontier has been active in the UK market since 2012. Notably, it supported solar engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) provider Belectric with delivery of a 16.5MW ground-mounted installation in Turweston in 2014. Also, in May, Solar Frontier entered into an agreement with New Energy for the World (NEW) to develop several solar projects in the UK market. The first of these projects (a 7.15MW CIS solar power plant in Banwell) was recently sold to an alternative asset manager shortly after coming on-stream in March.
Solar Frontier claims that, due to their CIS technology, its modules are well suited to the UK climate due to excellent low-light performance as well as continued output under partial shading. These characteristics mean higher electrical output in real-world conditions, the firm adds.
