French company Thomson Energy and Luxembourg-based Astar EnR have signed an agreement to produce and distribute PV modules of the French brand in Asia.
While the future of the European PV sector is unstable, the directors of both companies have defined a production and sales structure for modules, compliant with European regulations, to be distributed worldwide.
At the end of January, GHT Global started the production of Thomson-branded modules, supported by the Elifrance factory in Talaudière, the Loire area, and belonging to Italy's Pufin Group.
Those modules are assembled with 95% European components as Thomson switches its focus to international markets following a reduction in support measures in its home market.
Erick Haziza, president of Global GHT, said: "To maintain our forecasts and ensure our investments in France since 2013, we have decided to anticipate the program for the development of Thomson in the renewable energy sector and we have chosen Astar EnR, a specialist in the marketing of PV modules in Europe and Asia, whose competence is excellent."
The R&D and design of Thomson modules remains in France at Suresnes and the production lines for France and Europe remain at Elifrance in Saint-Etienne with production for Asia based in China.
"Producing in France to export to Asia makes no sense, neither in terms of finances nor in terms of sustainable development," said Romain Venet, CEO of Global GHT. "We have co-operated with Astar EnR to provide the conditions, French conditions, for production in China. We've committed to export the Thomson brand, according to our requirements and to spread rapidly."
Astar EnR hailed the collaboration in Asia: "Our unit, Astar EnR Hong Kong, is well positioned in this area, above all in China," said Astar CEO Jean-Ange Martin. "We've established commercial relationships with the players in Chinese production for a long time and there the French influence will now drive innovation and quality.
"We believe one single company can't do all this kind of business by itself with the same level of excellence. Our agreement allows Thomson to focus on the development of its product, according to strict quality requirements, whilst trade in Asia will be managed by Astar EnR.
"This combination is a guarantee of high performance to finally begin to reverse the trend towards Asia."
The agreement provides for the establishment of Thomson and Astar EnR offices in several countries.
"We will install units of 10 professionals in each country to provide sales points, technical qualification for projects and customer care," added M Martin. "Through this proximity and the respect of the local culture, we hope to help build a unified photovoltaic culture in Europe and Asia. We will develop a local strategy in a global context."
Thomson polycrystalline 240-260W and mono-crystalline, 220-275W, modules are the main sizes to be distributed by Astar EnR. Sales forecasts for the year are 50 MW for projects in China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
