Q CELLS enters NZ market

Solar technology and energy solutions provider Q CELLS is entering the New Zealand energy market for the first time in response to local demand.

The move comes as New Zealand establishes itself as one of the most exciting emerging renewable power markets in the world, reflecting the country’s strong commitment to a more sustainable future.

According to state-owned energy supplier Transpower, over the next five years to 2025 New Zealand’s solar market is expected to more than double. With New Zealand’s commitment to being carbon-neutral by 2050, household solar power is expected to play a key role in helping the country achieve its ambitious target.

Q CELLS is internationally recognised for solar panel innovation and is expanding its business area into integrated energy solutions.

Part of Hanwha Group, Q CELLS maintains its Technology and Innovations Headquarters in Germany with manufacturing facilities operating in the USA, Korea, Malaysia and China.

Peter Bae, head of the Australian operation, said the company is excited to bring its proposition to the New Zealand market.

“With over 20 years’ experience at the forefront of solar research and innovation, combined with the world-leading capability and scale in manufacturing high-quality solar products, Q CELLS is delighted to be bringing its products to the New Zealand market.

“To meet the burgeoning market demand for quality solar solutions in New Zealand, we are excited to be introducing Q CELLS to the local market at this time,” Bae said.

The first New Zealand solar installer to join the Q.PARTNER program (a network of vetted and trained suppliers), and be officially recognised as a supplier of Q CELLS solutions, is Think Solar, comprising Wanaka Solar, Queenstown Solar and Dunedin Solar.

The Director of Think Solar, Dean Dunning, actively pursued Q CELLS following poor experiences with inferior product.

“When starting our first branch four years ago, we were looking to focus on addressing quality issues in the Kiwi solar market. While many New Zealanders have been early adopters of solar technology, the industry has experienced challenges around perceptions of quality.

“With growing awareness around the impacts of climate change, solar technology is key to a more sustainable future, but in New Zealand solar was getting a bad reputation due to quality issues from cheap systems claiming to be ‘premium status’, installed by untrained people.

“We have seen Q CELLS being used in Australia. We’ve been impressed with the quality and the company and were also looking for a higher quality panel with long warranties — Q CELLS was a natural fit,” Dunning said.

Bae said that the partnership with Think Solar reflected Q CELLS’ commitment to partnering with installers who share the brand’s core values.

“Following our first installation in October 2020, over the next months we expect to launch a number of our higher-end solutions to cater to New Zealanders who are looking for long-term performance, extended warranties and aesthetically appealing options that are designed to blend better with their surroundings,” Bae said.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Think Solar to bring our products to the Otago region and are actively seeking new partnership opportunities that will help service other areas of New Zealand, particularly Auckland.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/adimas