meteocontrol North America Launched to Target the Growing US Solarmarket

AUGSBURG, Germany, October 12, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- meteocontrol, a recognized leader in solar monitoring and quality services in Europe, today announced that meteocontrol's parent company, S.A.G. Solarstrom AG, is founding a new wholly-owned subsidiary, meteocontrol North America, with headquarters in California, for the expansion into the North American market. meteocontrol's energy and technical services portfolio, specializing in photovoltaic system monitoring, energy yield forecasts and energy performance management, will now be available in the USA and Canada.Business activity will focus on services along the entire photovoltaic value chain, where meteocontrolhas had great success for many years in Germany and Europe.

American Benjamin Compton will manage the operations of meteocontrol North America as Vice President Commercial Operations. Previously, Compton was Vice President, Field Operations at United Solar Ovonic, a manufacturer of flexible thin-film solar modules.

"The photovoltaic market in the USA is already offering promising business opportunities for meteocontrol's service portfolio", says Dr. Karl Kuhlmann, CEO of S.A.G. Solarstrom AG. "I therefore believe that, over the next few years, meteocontrol North America will demonstrate the same positive corporate growth as meteocontrol in Germany and Europe, and wish the new company all the best for the start of their business."

Specialized photovoltaic service portfolio

"I have been impressed with meteocontrol's high value products and services for years," said Compton. "We have significant market share worldwide and especially in Europe with over 1.9 GWp monitored in more than 16,000 PV systems. I'm very excited to bring meteocontrol's technical expertise and analytical capabilities to the rapidly growing US and Canadian solar markets."

The range of services includes yield reports, technical due diligence, construction and plant monitoring, technical operation management and further services, such as solar energy forecasts. "We've expanded beyond being just a performance monitoring company," said Martin Schneider, Managing Director of meteocontrol GmbH. "In recent years, we've added a full spectrum of quality assurance services for the entire PV installation process, from bankable energy yield reports, to construction supervision and technical acceptance. Now with Ben's experience we'll also further develop our operations management and O&M capabilities."

Meteocontrol GmbH, with headquarters in Augsburg, Germany, has already provided yield reports to photovoltaic projects with a total investment volume of over EUR 7 billion (USD 9.7 billion). The two sister companies plan to cooperate closely and share their international expertise.

Further international expansion planned

The S.A.G. Solarstrom Group is continuing its international strategy of expansion with the new company. "With meteocontrol North America and the commitment of solar expert Benjamin Compton,we will be able to use the market potential in North America and continuously expand our position as a leading service provider in the construction and operation of solar systems," says the CEO of S.A.G. Solarstrom, Dr. Karl Kuhlmann.

In addition to Germany and Spain, the meteocontrol specialists have also been successfully established in other European countries for many years. The foundation of meteocontrol companies is currently being planned in Italy and France, where teams of experienced solar experts are already successfully active in the market.

About meteocontrol

meteocontrol GmbH offers energy and meteorological data management, yield reports, quality audits, technical due diligence and the monitoring and technical operation of photovoltaic systems of all sizes. meteocontrol also offers industry-specific solutions for investors, banks, insurance companies, utilities, trade and commerce, which combine technical energy expertise and meteorological competence. Worldwide, meteocontrol monitors around 16,000 photovoltaic systems photovoltaic systems with a total output of 1.9 GWp.

More information at: http://www.meteocontrol.de

    The CV of Mr. Compton is available upon request at
[email protected]

    Press contact

    meteocontrol GmbH
    Spicherer Str. 48
    86157 Augsburg
    Christian Hoppe
    Tel.: +49-2154-8122-15
    E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE meteocontrol GmbH