Scheuten Solar Wins Frost & Sullivan Award

LONDON, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent research on the global solar photovoltaic (PV) modules market, Frost & Sullivan presents Scheuten Solar (Scheuten) with the "2009 Global Frost & Sullivan Industry Innovation and Advancement of the Year Award" in recognition of its ability to focus on a rapidly developing market, understand the needs of the customers and provide solutions that blend innovative developments, years of experience, and above-average quality and service.

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Scheuten has an unprecedented capability to learn about its customers' requirements and then find the most reliable method for developing and producing the product. These products are manufactured with the latest Scheuten-designed solar technology, leveraging on the expertise of the company's research and development (R&D) department. The company is constantly on the lookout for new solar energy and glass developments and collaborates with highly regarded universities and research institutes such as TNO, KEMA and Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN).

In fact, Scheuten's R&D team launched a pilot project, the Sunrise-project, in 2007 aimed at manufacturing revolutionary thin-film solar cells, which do not use silicon. Its use on large surface areas, flexible dimensions, and general synergy with existing wafer technology is a huge advantage for the company, which will enable the thin-film solar cells to be produced on a large scale.

Scheuten's growth is also supported by its comprehensive in-house project development and project realisation departments that ensure a higher level of service at every stage of the project, ranging from planning and developing solar projects with local partners in international markets to support and servicing. The essential feedback from the customers is then transmitted to the R&D department, thereby allowing them to continually upgrade the company's products and services. Simultaneously, Scheuten is continuously strengthening its brand name through its powerful sales organizations that consist of distributors and retailers or its own sales offices, which are spread across Europe, and the United States. The company is one of the most consistent suppliers, renowned for on-time delivery.

Through its meticulous product checks and operational tests, Scheuten offers quality products and services to its customers, as confirmed by a complete range of certifications like ISO 9001-certification, TUV, UL and f.e. MCS. This results in a high degree of quality in the complete production cycle.

"Prestigious building-integrated projects – the Nippon Industrial College in Tokyo, the Hauptbahnhof Berlin Central Station, which is the largest railway station in Europe at present, and the major turnkey solar power plants in Spain, Italy, and Greece – combined with an efficient network of sales staff across the global markets and years of knowledge from its solar divisions make Scheuten a reliable partner in this rapidly-upcoming market," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Suchismita Das. "The company's products combine robust features with aesthetic design, durability, flexibility, and return on investment, thus helping it effectively maintain the leading position in the market."

Scheuten's brand labels, Multisol® and Optisol®, are highly recognized in the PV market. The Multisol® modules are high-performance standard solar modules. Their low weight and well-built design make them suitable for all types of grid-connected PV systems, where flexible mounting and a high energy yield are required. This versatile set is also supplemented by additional features such as a robust aluminium frame and patented junction box. Manufactured in Europe's most advanced module production lines, the Multisol® modules guarantee the best quality brand available in the market.

Optisol® integrated glass-glass or glass-tedlar solar modules combine profitable, environment-friendly energy production with an aesthetically attractive design. These modules are ideal for use on building facades and roofs, where utility is paired with aesthetic design. Scheuten's environmental management boasts the certification of DIN ISO 14001. The Optisol® is entirely custom-made, which provides customers the freedom to select the required design. Moreover, with the benefit of easy integration in the existing glass facades, the Optisol® also provides cost efficiency to the customers.

In 2008, Scheuten's annual turnover of 467 million euros positioned it among the three largest independent European glass companies. The company continued its strong growth in 2009, expanding its product portfolio, increasing its international reach and strengthening its position as a market leader in the solar PV modules market. Furthermore, by signing a joint venture agreement with leading Taiwanese disc and OLED manufacturer, RITEK Corporation, the company is expected to start manufacturing CIGS thin film solar cells, with an initial capital of NT$600 million, which is likely to contribute significantly to the company's growth in thin-film PV industry.

"Apart from having a keen pulse on the consumer needs, the company has developed a significant technological innovation capability and strong R&D expertise that have been successful in advancing the state of the industry forward," notes Suchismita Das. "These factors make Scheuten the worthy recipient of the 2009 Frost & Sullivan Industry Innovation and Advancement of the Year Award in the global solar PV modules market."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to a company that has proven to be a leader in the industry and that, through its pioneering technology, sound business strategy, and research efforts, has been successful in moving the state of the industry forward. Its excellence in the field has extended beyond its technical advancements and encompasses a comprehensive view of market participants resulting in an ongoing improvement in the industry over time. The award recognizes the company for its broader, more comprehensive participation in the industry and for its contributions to the advancement of the market.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About Scheuten Solar

Since the foundation of its research division in 1999, Scheuten has been using the latest technology in developing revolutionary products for the international PV market. Currently, due to its technological, planning and production expertise, the company is considered as one of the leading companies that offer manufacturing, designing, and selling products such as PV solar modules and wide array of PV solar solutions in the global market. A huge number of high-profile projects have been implemented since 2003, which has enabled the company to establish itself as a major participant in the international solar market. Similar success has been attained by the company as a PV system integrator and distribution partner as well as for the design, development, and realization of turnkey PV systems throughout the world with both standard as well as glass-glass modules building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solutions.

Scheuten is also gaining recognition through its participation in fairs and exhibitions in the PV domain for the advancement of its new PV products. On the basis of its past track record, Scheuten Solar is expected to continue succeeding in this market in the future as one of the premium product suppliers for the global solar PV modules market.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.awards.frost.com.

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan