Abu Dhabi: AZUR Solar sees continued success thanks to its international presence

The Baden-Württemberg based PV system supplier reports a successful start to the year following the solar exhibition in Abu Dhabi / Medium sized business underlines ambitious targets for 2010.

One of the top crowd pulling exhibits at this years World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi was AZUR 2P module coating.

Visitors to the AZUR Solar GmbH stand were clearly excited about the resilience of the AZUR 2P coating which was introduced in 2009 as a world first. The unanimous verdict of the experts: AZUR 2P is the ideal solution for using solar energy in desert regions and has quite rightly earned a reputation for revolutionising the world of photovoltaics.

With AZUR 2P this Allgäu based business, which is amongst the leading German PV system suppliers, can now enter the Middle Eastern market. The coating protects the module from abrasion even under severe sandstorm conditions and guarantees through its UV protection a sustained high efficiency. Through its abrasion resistant, self-cleaning, water and dust repellent properties this module coating is ideally suited for use in desert conditions.

At the end of January over 600 exhibitors from more than 130 countries were represented at WFES, an important exhibition located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This industry event which was held for the third time, recorded a 25% growth in visitors compared to the previous year and was visited by more than 100 official delegations. AZUR 2F, the new ultra-thin powerfoil launched in 2009, also attracted the interest of specialists. The amorphous silicon solar cells are laminated on flexible and unbreakable plastic film and permanently encapsulated to give a 92 Wp output and an extremely powerful yet very lightweight module.

The successful attendance at WFES underlines the prospects for growth in this developing market and also demonstrates the strategic direction of the company in international markets.

Matthias Klopstein, CTO at AZUR Solar, evaluates the exhibition: „In the expanding middle eastern PV market we are regarded as a reliable partner with impressive expertise and experience. Our comprehensive product and service offering as a full system provider gave us many advantages. The impact of our presence at WFES in Abu Dhabi is already reflected in the order books."

Bernd Sauter, Managing Director AZUR Solar GmbH, on the importance of the Middle Eastern market for his business: „The Arab states will in the future be a key market for us particularly as a far as 2P is concerned. Our growth will be significantly influenced by the Middle Eastern market even where Government controls are not yet present. "

Through global engagement, AZUR will become increasingly less dependent on the German market: the effect of the planned reduction in PV support in Germany is minimal in the Allgäu region. Within the last few years a second foothold has been achieved within international markets. The most recent example of this being a joint venture agreement in December 2009 to install 50 MW in Pakistan.

Seen as a whole, AZUR is in excellent shape. This is echoed in the ambitious company targets: The business plan states a more than fourfold growth in turnover from 38 million Euro in 2008 to 165 million Euro in 2011. By 2011 there will be 140 employees in our new Headoffice in Leutkirch compared with 30 employees back in 2008. Managing Director Bernd Sauter, finishes with: „With all our success we have never denied our Allgäu roots - we have steadily outgrown the region. Social engagement both locally and in Togo will continue to be important for us.

We are very proud of what we have already achieved. AZUR is a successful technology company which will continue to bring new and innovative products to the market. This is just the beginning, our aim is to make our vision a reality."