German solar power firm wants to make Thailand its Asean hub
A saturation of the market in Europe has prompted Germany-based SMA Solar Technology AG to shift its focus to the Asean region, particularly to use Thailand as a hub.
The company, as a global leader in the production and sales of PV inverters, established SMA Solar (Thailand) last year and set up an office in Bangkok last month.
Anuson Atilaksana, general manager of the company, said Thailand had a clear policy on solar cell development, under which solar plants generating 2,000 megawatts of electricity will be set up by 2021.
"The parent company is focusing on setting up business here because it already has some new customers in hand," Anusorn said.
Demand for solar power in Europe has dropped considerably in recent years due to the economic crisis.
However, the company has not yet set up any targets for Thailand and neighbouring countries, saying it would wait for the government to set a deadline for licensees to complete their projects and start selling electricity as scheduled. Anusorn went on to say that the government was encouraging the use of solar energy in factories, office buildings and residential projects.
SMA Solar Technology AG, listed in the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, reported sales revenue of 1.7 billion euros (Bt65.53 billion) last year. It employs 5,500 people in 19 countries. SMA produces inverters, which are necessary to generate solar energy and account for 20 per cent of the cost of the total project. The firm produces inverters of all sizes, from ones that can be used on residential rooftops to those needed in solar power plants.
