Based in Istanbul, the newly launched company will focus on the planning and construction of ground- and roof-mounted solar power plants as well as the trading of solar systems and components via a local partner network.
Istanbul, Turkey. Today, the German photovoltaics company Gehrlicher Solar AG and the Turkish energy company Merk Solar Enerji Çözümleri San. ve Tic. Ltd. Åžti., a member of the Akfel Group, agreed to establish an exclusive partnership. The joint venture company, named “Gehrlicher Merk Solar Enerji A.Åž.” with headquarters in Istanbul, will serve photovoltaic markets in Turkey and its neighbouring countries. Each partner has an equal share in the company.
The activities of the new company will include project development, engineering, EPC services, financing and operation of power plants. Furthermore, the company plans to establish local partnerships with system integrators in Mediterranean, South Eastern and Eastern regions of Turkey. The purpose of these partnerships is the development of projects and wholesale of PV modules, inverters and Gehrlicher’s own GehrTec components.
Murad Baltacı, CEO of Akfel Group, says: “In this joint venture, we will combine Gehrlicher Solar’s 17 years of experience in the planning and construction of solar power plants with Merk Solar’s deep market knowledge and powerful local network. Our goal is to establish a strong presence in Turkey and its neighbouring countries. As an EPC company, we are planning to capture a good share out of the 600 MW that are expected to be completed by 2015 in Turkey. Furthermore, we will directly start developing our own projects.”
Klaus Gehrlicher, CEO of Gehrlicher Solar AG, adds: “Due to its fast growth and increasing energy demand, Turkey is a highly attractive market for solar power. The Turkish government acted thoughtful and forward-looking when creating a feed-in tariff which allows interesting investments in renewable energies, but which is at the same time very close to the general electricity tariff. These are ideal preconditions for a reasonable and sustainable market growth. We are happy to partner with Merk Solar and look forward to carrying out many successful projects together.”
About Gehrlicher Solar
Gehrlicher Solar AG is an internationally operating photovoltaics company based in Germany with subsidiaries and joint ventures in Brazil, France, Great Britain, India, Italy, South Africa, Spain, Turkey and the USA. Globally, the Gehrlicher Group has about 400 employees and in the fiscal year 2010 achieved sales of 343 million Euro. The company which was founded in 1994 develops, plans, builds, finances and operates solar power systems for ground mounting and for roofs – from private houses to multi-megawatt systems. In addition, it distributes solar modules and inverters as well as components from its own GehrTec product range. Gehrlicher Solar also plans, sets up and manages profit-oriented photovoltaic funds and private placements for private and institutional investors.
About Merk Solar Enerji
Merk Solar Enerji has built a reputation for innovation and reliability in delivering EPC services for solar energy projects in Turkey, Middle East and North Africa. Besides, Merk Solar Enerji has been developing utility scale projects for future license applications and promoting these projects to private investors with its EPC capabilities. Merk Solar Enerji is part of the Akfel Group, the largest private gas importer in Turkey and active in energy trading. Akfel also develops and operates hydro power plants. The first company of the Group was founded in 1994 delivering engineering and construction services for energy projects, in Turkey by having more than 240 employees.
Source:www.gehrlicher.com