Newly established U.S. branch of leading German photovoltaic company plans to serve installers through value-added reselling business

Gehrlicher Solar AG, one of the global leaders in commercial photovoltaic power systems, today announced that its U.S.-based subsidiary, Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. (GSAC), has opened a Distribution Center in Springfield, NJ. The new 25,000 sq.ft. facility, will also serve as headquarters for Gehrlicher’s U.S. project business. The company plans to serve the residential and small commercial segment through distribution of panels inverters, racking systems and complete kits.
“This is a logical next step in our U.S. strategy”, explains Dr. Stefan Parhofer, CEO of Gehrlicher U.S. “This business model is very successful in Europe and we have clearly identified a need in the U.S. to offer value-added reselling services. Gehrlicher can immediately leverage its global purchasing power with Tier 1 suppliers like First Solar, Yingli and SMA. " We think the efficiencies in this segment can be improved dramatically, which lowers cost for installers and makes PV ultimately more competitive.” The new business unit will be run by David Rarrick, former EVP at Aztec Solar, who joined Gehrlicher on July 1st.
Gehrlicher has just recently strengthened its project division by hiring Jerry Shinn as SVP for Project Sales and Peter Farlekas as Director of EPC. Jerry Shinn and Peter Farlekas both worked previously at Gloria Solar and have executed a capacity of over 12 MWp in projects in the past 12 months. Gehrlicher’s project business is currently focused on the distributed generation business in the North-East.
Recently, Gehrlicher was awarded two projects for a total of 1.3 MWp capacity from NJR Clean Energy Ventures (NJRCEV), a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE:NJR). NJRCEV offers low carbon, clean energy solutions through its residential and commercial solar programs and has developed projects totaling more than 26 MW throughout New Jersey. “Gehrlicher is a recognized global leader of commercial solar projects,” said Stan Kosierowski, President of NJR Clean Energy Ventures. “We are proud to partner with organizations like Gehrlicher who have made a commitment to New Jersey, and leverage their expertise to provide our customers with renewable energy solutions.”
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Gehrlicher will be exhibiting at Intersolar North America 2011 running from July 12-14, 2011 in San Francisco, which attracts over 22,000 industry professionals searching for the latest news, research, advancements and developments in the areas of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies.
About Gehrlicher USA
Gehrlicher Solar GSAC is the United States subsidiary of an internationally renowned photovoltaic system integrator. The U.S.-based operation was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Springfield, N.J. Gehrlicher USA specializes in the full-lifecycle of commercial solar projects including design, construction and financing. To date, it has over 10 MW of commercial projects in development across the U.S. and is in the process of launching the U.S. wholesale business that will offer solar modules, inverters, and our own components from our GehrTec product portfolio.
About Gehrlicher Solar
Gehrlicher Solar AG is an internationally operating photovoltaic company from Germany with subsidiaries and joint ventures in Brazil, France, Great Britain, India, Italy, Spain, South Africa and the United States. With around 430 employees worldwide the company is one of the 10 largest independent photovoltaic project developers and system integrators. With an annual turnover of around 340 million Euros (2010) Gehrlicher Solar is one of the fastest growing companies in Europe. The company which was founded in 1994 develops, plans, builds, finances, and operates solar power plants 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 and manages profit-oriented photovoltaic funds and private placements for institutional investors. For further information, please visit www.gehrlicher.com/us.
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Press contact
Ed Brozek
Marketing & Sales Mgr. - Commercial Projects
Gehrlicher Solar America Corp.
21 Fadem Road
Springfield, NJ 07081
Phone: 908-219-4379
Fax: 908-219-4375
Email: ed.brozek@gehrlicher.com