Sonnenstromfabrik seeks to expand into Benelux

German solar panel manufacturer Sonnenstromfabrik GmbH has increased its presence in the Dutch photovoltaic market. The company has entered into a partnership agreement with Dutch wholesaler Hadec, a unit of the Oosterberg Group.

“With Hadec we have gained the first strategic partner in the Netherlands,” Sonnenstromfabrik Managing Director Bernhard Weilharter told pv magazine. “So far, our foreign activities have been covered by German wholesale partners such as Wagner Solar or DSS.”

Hadec, which has a strong infrastructure in the Netherlands, has so far been concentrating on DMEG products. Now, Sonnenstromfabrik said, its modules would be added to the company’s portfolio as a German premium brand.

“We want to score points in the Dutch market primarily with full black high-performance modules,” Weilharter added. The introduction of an additional full black premium module is planned for the end of the year. This is to be sold only through exclusive distribution partners of Sonnenstromfabrik. On the Dutch market, the glass and glass module from the German photovoltaic manufacturer will also be sold with the Full Black option. Hadec boss Remon Hansté sees great demand for these modules in the Dutch market.

Sonnenstromfabrik expects to sell between 3 MW and 5 MW of modules in the Netherlands this year. “We will make targeted investments in brand development over the next few months,” said Weilharter. In addition, the German module manufacturer is working “at full speed” on its entry into the Belgian market. The cooperation with a well-known electrical wholesaler is now close to completion.