India’s SunTechnics changes name, sharpens focus

Indian renewable energy systems integrator SunTechnics Energy Systems is adopting its parent's name and has been re-christened as Conergy Energy Systems. Going forward it will also focus largely on small and large-scale solar photovoltaic projects, cutting back on solar thermal, wind and hybrid systems.

Conergy Energy Systems CEO Prakash Shetty said: "The Indian market is strongly driven by a high need for electricity. Off-grid is one of Conergy's pillars for success and growth in India, with booming sectors like rural electrification, rooftop systems, BIPV, telecommunications, railways - of which we own a significant market share.

"The Year 2011 started with a well planned expansion of the company's SPV module manufacturing capacity from 4 MW to 25 MW which was followed by several significant orders that has helped Conergy develop a formidable business backlog. Our EPC business has developed very encouragingly due to the support from the National Solar Mission and incentives from individual states."

The company's Indian customer base includes large telecom, oil and gas, and manufacturing organizations, as well as the state and national government units.

Solar energy has gained considerable importance in Asia over the past year - and the market will continue to grow rapidly. Industry experts at Bank Sarasin Asia estimate that in 2010 solar PV installations grew by 87 percent globally.

In 2010, the most promising market was India, which grew by 166 percent. Bank Sarasin estimates that India recorded 80 MW of newly installed solar capacity last year. Furthermore, they anticipate that the Indian PV market will grow by 76 percent annually from 2009 to 2015.