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Foreword Publisher Present Press B.V. Nijverheidsweg 7 4104 AN Culemborg Postbus 57 4100 AB Culemborg T 0345 - 750 200 F 0345 - 750 249 E info@presentpress.nl I www.presentpress.nl Board of Management Rob Kriegsman Barry Reede Traffic Yolande Deuss Account Management Henriette van Leipsig Jos van der Gun
Throughout the world the renewable energy industry continues to grow, both in importance and in size. Enfinity, founded only in 2005, specialises in solar energy, and has quickly grown to become a significant player in the renewable energy field. Enfinity develops, finances, constructs, operates, sells and maintains renewable energy projects across the globe. We are the largest independent company focused exclusively on solar energy, and among the world’s six largest developers and owners of solar installations. Enfinity’s goal is is to become a major leader in solar energy development and distribution; we know this can only be achieved by working in full partnership with our customers and partners. Accordingly, we will further strengthen Enfinity’s position in the coming years by continuing to expand our activities in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Our recent continental organisation will enable us to
Editor Karin Jongkind
focus intently on that expansion - we are now a company of more than 200
Design and layout Accentdesign, Mijdrecht
this mission.
Photography Herman van der Veer
employees with the knowledge, passion and commitment required to complete
Enfinity is also profoundly aware of its social responsibilities; we support sustainability projects at home and abroad that contribute to a safe and healthy environment.
Client WOGroenoord Coordination Tom Vanlerberghe Jurgen Van Damme This magazine was realised with the cooperation of: Cegelec NV DEMAR-LUX bvba Dexia Lease Fabricom-GTI Fronius International GmbH. GLE Global & Local Expertise sa Interoute Belgium NV KBC Lease Belgium NV Montaco NV Rabobank International SAP Belgium n.v./s.a. Skinn graf isch bureau SMA Benelux bvba/sprl Solar Construction cvba Terremark & Delaware Consulting The Talent Gallery bvba Triodos Bank n.v. Trinasolar Van De Maele Multi-Techniek Waak BW vzw Xerox Alpha Center n.v. 3E
This magazine has been produced to celebrate Enfinity’s fifth anniversary. In the following pages we want to give you a glimpse into our world – our people, operations and history. I hope you enjoy reading our story. Steven De Tollenaere CEO Enfinity Group
Copyrights Without the prior written conf irmation from the publisher, the contents of this magazine may not be copied in whole or in part. The editor is not responsible for any imperfections.
This magazine is made of less environmentally harmful paper.
enfinity / 3
About Enfinity Core business: - To finance, develop, build and operate ground or rooftop based solar power installations for the investors and business market.
-P V Power Worldwide >230 MW, constructed and distributed in 8 countries in 3 continents -R anked as 6th PV developer worldwide (source: PHOTON Consulting, 2011)
- To deliver PV systems (solar panels, inverters and assembly systems) for the private market via a
Headquarters:
network of professional dealers.
- Group Headquarters in Waregem – Belgium -R egional Headquarters in Atlanta – US and
Position:
Hong Kong - Asia
Enfinity is active in the downstream part of the photovoltaic value chain and covers all clients
Mission:
segments
Creating the best solutions for renewable energy to make it accessible and affordable to everyone
Key figures:
around the world
- Turnover 227 mio Euro in 2010 - Workforce of > 200 employees with highly qualified and experienced people
Structure: Enfinity has 5 business units: Invest, Develop, Technics, Trade and Power.
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Patrick Decuyper and Gino Van Neer - founders Enfinity
The beginning... an interview with Enfinity’s founders Gino Van Neer and Patrick Decuyper. Founded in 2005, Enfinity was the brainchild of
operation. I was in a good place - I had ten employees,
Gino Van Neer and Patrick Decuyper. The two
and there was a successful management team to run
entrepreneurs, friends since their student days, had
the day-to-day operations. But the dream of a
long been contemplating creating a joint venture.
collaborative venture with Gino still appealed to me.
By the end of the 1990s, Decuyper had completed
We saw each other often, and after one of our
his industrial engineering degree in electro-
evening sport get-togethers we wound up in an
mechanics and earned a post-graduate degree in
intense conversation about sustainable energy.
business economics. Gino Van Neer graduated as an agricultural engineer and earned an MBA in marketing at the Vlerick Management School.
“Back then our idea was to start a café, but ultimately we shelved that plan.”
Decuyper: “Back then our idea was to start a café, but ultimately we shelved that plan. After finishing
Through my work with the contracting company I
my studies, I first spent two years working for a
had a number of contacts in the sunshade sector and
construction contractor. When I was twenty-seven
knew that solar energy had a lot of potential. At that
I decided it was finally time to start a company of my
time a number of foreign suppliers were working on
own, and spent ten years building a successful
systems to convert solar energy into electricity.” >>
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Opportunities with solar energy During the same period, Gino Van Neer also had his own company – a successful marketing organisation. Via an exhibition center he met a solar cell manufacturer. Van Neer: “Patrick and I brainstormed intensively about renewable energy; we both believed that solar power had great potential. In 2005, there were virtually no Belgian companies involved in the solar business. We decided to make our dream a reality and looked into starting a business in the environmental field.” Decuyper: “There was a real gap in the market, so we drafted a business plan for the development of solar power stations and solar panels.”
seemed to be favourable, so we decided to take the gamble and start a new company. We chose the name
Van Neer: “We began with thorough market research
Enfinity, which combines the idea of ‘energy’ with the
and made many calculation models. The conditions
‘infinite possibilities’ of sustainable solar energy.” >>
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Residential installation by an Enfinity dealer
An enthusiastic start – and dealing with early challenges Decuyper: “In the beginning it was hard to get the
Van Neer: “In 2006, Enfinity began selling solar
business off the ground. People were positive about
panels. We had high expectations, but our first year
sustainable energy, but investors were hard to find.
was a disaster. We were operating out of our homes
Everyone saw the potential of tapping the sun as a
and hardly sold a thing.”
new energy source, but doubts ran high concerning the success of the technology. Help arrived from an
Development: A different business model
unexpected quarter. Al Gore’s film ‘An Inconvenient
Enfinity quickly discovered that companies were
Truth’ helped increase awareness of the advantages
unwilling to make long-term investments in solar
and necessity of utilising renewable energy.”
energy. Prospects were only interested in short-term returns. Van Neer: “We decided to change our business model. Solar panels simply do not generate a return in the short term. These kinds of investments can only be written off after eight years. We therefore began looking for people who were willing and able to make longer-term investments. This quickly brought us in contact with Marc Dewaele of Lomat, a company >>
8 / enfinity
“With effective marketing support, we showed that solar energy is a long term investment with great benefits.”
located in Waregem (Belgium) specialising in yarn, polyester staple fibre, latex, etc. Marc Dewaele saw the potential in Enfinity and decided to risk investing in the young company. With his support we developed a simple yet very effective concept that enabled Enfinity to grow exponentially in a short period of time. Simply put, a company leased its building rights on the roof to Enfinity in exchange for payment. We then covered the entire roof with solar panels.
Marc Dewaele - business angel
The company then purchased the produced electricity from us for a price that was far more attractive than that offered by the regular energy producers. With effective marketing support, our marketplace began to see that while the purchase of solar panels is indeed expensive, it would be an investment with great benefits over the long term. Maintenance is minimal - and the sunshine is free!”
Villarrobledo - Spain - 2.268 MWp
Global player - Enfinity begins a period of accelerated growth Decuyper: “At the end of 2006, we had the opportunity to develop projects in Spain. Several of them were ground-mounted installations, rather than the rooftop arrays that we were used to; that was a valuable learning experience. By investing in solar, Spanish companies were able to “lock in” a fairly stable electricity price for 20 years, certainly lower than their regular rates. Furthermore, it allowed those companies to promote themselves as being ‘green’, which was good for their image.” >>
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Pillars of success In 2007, Enfinity found additional opportunities
Van Neer: “Our success rests on various pillars.
throughout Europe and became more active abroad.
First and foremost, we are active in sustainable
Solar installations were built in Italy, Spain, France and
economic solutions and we deliver those solutions
Germany in rapid succession.
internationally. The core of our philosophy is the conviction that solar energy is less expensive than
Decuyper: “We then crossed the ocean to establish
fossil fuels in the long-term. We work towards a
operations in the United States and Canada. To
cleaner environment and that not only gives us, but
finance these North American solar energy projects,
also all employees, an enormous kick.”
Enfinity worked with individual project funds, comprising investors and banks.”
“Today Enfinity is a global, professional organisation that is also an attractive employer for young, talented people with a background in IT, telecom and engineering.” Decuyper: “But that must never come at the cost of quality and the working environment. In the early years we learned the importance of enjoying running the business, and it must be enjoyable for the >>
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employees as well. Without their efforts, this growth
solar energy. In recent years it has gathered extensive
and development would never have been possible. In
knowledge about solar energy, and closely follows the
those early years it was quite difficult to find the right
technological evolution of photovoltaics.
people for Enfinity - there were precious few who
‘Enfinity Invest’ is a leader in sustainable energy
believed in the new technology as much as we did.”
project financing. Thanks to its international network and solid reputation among financial institutions and
Van Neer: “We’ve come a long way since then. Today
investors, it is considered a professional and reliable
Enfinity is a global, professional organisation that is
player in the green industry. ‘Enfinity Technics’ installs,
also an attractive employer for young, talented people
maintains and inspects solar energy installations for
with a background in IT, telecom and engineering.
the business market. ‘Enfinity Trade’ delivers ready-
They are now more willing to make the move to a
made solar energy installations for the private market,
green sector company like Enfinity.”
offering a wide range of efficient solar panels and assembly systems. ‘Enfinity Trade’ collaborates with
Business units
an extensive network of authorised professional dealers.
Enfinity now has 5 business units: Develop, Invest,
‘Enfinity Power’ manages those solar installations
Technics, Trade and Power. ‘Enfinity Develop’
owned by Enfinity, competing with incumbent
develops renewable energy projects, with a focus on
electricity producers in the commercial market. >>
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The Future While Van Neer and Decuyper look back with pride on what they have achieved, they prefer to keep their eyes looking ahead. Van Neer: “We have always invested heavily in geographic growth, and that takes a constant stream of new capital. During the global economic crisis, it was not always easy to get projects funded. A capital injection of €50 million by investment company Waterland in 2009 gave us the financial resources to continue Enfinity’s international expansion. A surprising development is that Asian governments are ever more willing to provide financial support for renewable energy projects, while in Western Europe the subsidy stream is slowly drying up.” >>
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Pioneer - Hanford (CA), US - 788 kWp
The fruits of a unique collaboration new challenges and a new direction.
and have many plans for the future. We want to grow into more regions like Africa, South America and Asia. We also want to continue to grow in parallel with renewable technologies. Solar panels are currently the stars on the renewable stage, but that will certainly change within the next ten years. We foresee that by then the world will mainly be running on green energy. Moreover, we have a number of business objectives for Enfinity, such as defending and
Decuyper: “Our rapid growth has been fantastic, but
strengthening our position by achieving greater
it also has a downside. I am an entrepreneur at heart,
cost-efficiency and cost-awareness, for example.
less so a manager. A responsible manager of a large
The latter is necessary because several government
company like Enfinity should focus more on risk
subsidies for renewable energy will be reduced or
management and business processes rather than pure
terminated in the near future. Furthermore, Enfinity is
innovation. Accordingly, we made some constructive
an important employer. The company currently
management changes; I am now chairman of the
employs over 200 people, but indirectly we are
Board of Management and will continue my
responsible for many more jobs. That responsibility
involvement in new projects in Romania and
is one we will gladly continue to bear in the future as
Bulgaria. Such a move has enabled me to become
Enfinity continues its journey.”
more involved with my community - I am now also general manager of first division football club Zulte
Gino Van Neer is still active at Enfinity today as CEO
Waregem.”
for Asia; Patrick Decuyper was involved until March 2011 as CEO for Europe. Today he is chairman of
Ambition
Enfinity’s Board of Management and general manager
Van Neer: “We are still far from finished with Enfinity
of Belgian First Division football club Zulte Waregem. VGP - Czech Republic - 2.9 MWp
enfinity / 13
Milestones 1
2
3 1. Villarrobledo - Spain - 2.268 MWp 2007 - First PV installations outside Belgium 2. Residential - Belgium - 4.32 kWp 2007 - Launch of Enfinity Trade 3. Lidl - Gullegem, Belgium - 939.06 kWp 2009 - Signing of a pan-European deal with Lidl 4. Mc Bride - Ypres, Belgium - 1.2 MWp 2006 - First PV installation over 1 MWp
4
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5
PRO
Picture: Dunhuang - 10,0 MWp
6
7
5. Verhelst - Oudenburg, Belgium - 4.2 MWp 2009 - A green makeover for landfill site.
Dunhuang Dunhuang
6. Dunhuang - China - 10 MWp 2010 - First Asian project 7. Artexis - Ghent, Belgium - 1.87 MWp 2010 - First Belgian exhibition centre operating on solar energy using thin film technology
About the project
Description
Dunhuang, Gansu, Chine
The project site is located in QILI town of
• Location:Dunhuang,China
Dunhuang city of Jiuquan region in Gansu
• Installed capacity:10,0 MWp
province,which is a wide and flat Gobifield
• Irradiation:2.574 kWh/m
approx.13 Km away from Dunhuang city.The
• Performance ratio:79,50%
2
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Milestones 8
10
9 8. Luciani - Puglia, Italy - 285.12 kWp 2010 - First ground-based Italian installation 9. Balta - Sint-Baafs-Vijve, Belgium - 4.385 MWp 2009 - Largest rooftop PV installation in the Benelux 10. VGP - Czech Republic - 2.9 MWp 2010 - Opening of first Enfinity Czech PV installation 11. Cardif - Buccinasco, Italy - 498 kWp 2011 - Enfinity full speed ahead as EPC-contractor
11
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Verhelst, Oudenburg, XXX MWp
12
13
14
15 12. Pioneer - Hanford (CA), US - 788 kWp 2010 - Three school campuses cut energy costs by 77% 13. Solar Tunnel - Belgium - 4 MWp 2011 - Unique PV project over a high-speed rail tunnel 14. BIPV - residential - Belgium - 6.2 kWp 2011 - Launch of Enfinity integrated PV systems 15. Les MĂŠes - Les MĂŠes, France - 18.2 MWp 2011 - Largest Enfinity ground installation in Europe
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Supply chain management – why logistics processes are a vital part of Enfinity’s business operations Vanderhaeghen: “Control over the flow of goods, based on supply chain management, is essential to our operations. Only then can we complete our projects on time, within budget and with the promised level of quality. Everything revolves around good planning: the amount of stock we must maintain, the volume and type of production capacity we must reserve, and the optimal sequence of the production steps. The purchase of the required materials is a critical factor in maintaining the established planning. Our purchasing professionals must obtain the highest quality parts for solar energy installations with the best possible terms.” Those who are familiar with supply chain management know that this market revolves around communication Henk Vanderhaeghen - COO Enfinity Group
and information technology. There are many software packages available to support these logistical processes. At Enfinity the focus is primarily on the
Logistics & Quality
planning systems. Vanderhaeghen: “The professionalism of our employees is also a critical success factor. Take for example the challenging negotiation process for the many different parts of the panels and the installations.
Henk Vanderhaeghen is Enfinity’s Head of Operations,
The entire team works continuously to achieve one
and his responsibilities in that role include logistics
goal: the best possible result for the customer.
processes. Along with Marc Wilmotte, Henk also
Enfinity has shown that with expertise, team spirit and
shares responsibility for ensuring the quality and
sound collaboration, it’s possible to be tremendously
continuity of the provision of Enfinity’s services.
successful.” >>
Enfinity’s European distribution center - Assenede, Belgium
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Guaranteed service life through quality assurance Quality is an important aspect of Enfinity’s products. That goes without saying, as the power installations and solar panels have to last more than 20 years. To guarantee such a long service life, a precise
and are therefore less of a burden on the environment.
production process is required. Numerous inspections
The ISO 14001 certification shows that environmental
throughout the production process are essential to
considerations are an important aspect of our
ensuring a long-lasting, high-quality product.
decision-making processes, even when it comes to
The subcontractors must also adhere to strict quality
energy consumption and waste management. Enfinity
assurance procedures.
follows the EMAS guidelines (EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) in this regard. The EMAS declaration
Wilmotte: “For a company like Enfinity, environmental
is an independent assessment of the environmental
management is an important part of the quality
report, which details the organisation’s environmental
processes. Enfinity is certified in accordance with
performance. The EMAS scheme is intended to stimulate
ISO 14001. A good environmental management
organisations to implement an environmental
system helps improve both the business processes
management system and continuously measure and
and the everyday environment. It all revolves around
improve their environmental performance.”
having the vision to look ahead and make thoroughly considered decisions. For Enfinity, good environmental
EMAS
ISO 14001
management also means we purchase new machines
BUREAU VERITAS
BUREAU VERITAS
that may be more expensive but consume less energy Enfinity 18 De Maele:pp
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Certification
Certification
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Enfinity around the world
Americas Enfinity America Corporation Head Office 2 Concourse Parkway Suite 505 Atlanta, GA 30328 United States info@enfinitycorp.com www.enfinitycorp.com
2010 – The Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ontario goes green, with plans for a PV rooftop installation.
Ottwawa
Sacramento
2011 – Start of the ambitious Stardale project, over 30 MWp. Atlanta
2011 – Enfinity partners with Carleton University in Ottawa for PV research. 2010 – Launch of three ‘solar schools’ in Hanford, California.
enfinity enfinity / 23/ 23
Enfinity around the world
Europe Enfinity Group Head Office Enfinity Group Henri Lebbestraat 188 8790 Waregem Belgium info@enfinity.be www.enfinity.be
2011 of awith newsocial UK 2010––Opening First deals housing offi ce in providers Liverpool.in the UK.
Liverpool
Waregem
Prague
Milan Aix-en-Provence
Madrid 2011 – Inauguration of Enfinity’s largest ground PV project to date.
2008 – Inauguration of first Spanish projects in Villarrobledo.
24 24 / / enfinity enfinity
2010 – Inauguration of VGP PV installation.
2011 – Official launch of the Enfinity inverter.
Athens
Tel Aviv 2011 – Inauguration of several Italian plants.
enfinity enfinity / / 25 25
Enfinity around the world
Asia Enfinity Asia-Pacific Head Office Enfinity Asia Pacific Limited 1705-06 Office Tower, Convention Plaza 1, Harbour Road Wanchai Hong Kong info@enfinity.com.hk www.enfinity.biz
2009 – Start of the Dunhuang project.
Peking
Shanghai
Dubai
Hong Kong
Manila Chennai
2010 – His Royal Highness Prince Philippe of Belgium visits the Enfinity office in India.
26 26 / / enfinity enfinity
Nonthaburi
2008 – Signing ceremony of first Vietnamese contracts.
Canada Aviation Museum – Ottawa, Ontario, Canada – 295 kWp.
USA Both the United States and the province of Ontario in Canada are fast becoming a focal point of global photovoltaic (PV) industry attention. As PV system costs fall, electricity prices rise and project financing becomes more available, this market is inching closer
The growing investments in the US and Canada in PV projects naturally became areas of interest for Enfinity.
to reaching its potential as a major centre of global PV demand. The U.S., with its growing list of states
We brought together Rafael Dobrzynski (Enfinity
investing in PV projects, and the province of Ontario
Americas CEO), Wim Goethals (Enfinity Americas
with its aggressive feed-in tariff (FIT) programme,
Chief Financial Officer) and Martin Gavin (Senior
naturally became areas of interest for Enfinity; offices
Project Manager). We asked them for their thoughts
were established in the Americas in 2008 and
about the PV market in the Americas.
successful PV projects followed in Ontario and California.
Can the PV industry really expand and thrive outside of the ‘sunshine state’ California? Dobrzynski: “California was the first state to implement financial incentives to support PV development, and the U.S. PV market has grown from that foundation. Now we’re seeing a more mature and expanded PV market, with the focus of activity shifting slightly away from California, and that’s a crucial change of perspective; it means that it won’t be alone in supporting market growth over the next few years. >>
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“Obviously, maintaining a good working relationship with the local utility company is essential for PV projects to succeed.” The growth of secondary markets such as New Jersey,
Pioneer - Hanford (CA), US - 788 kWp
Arizona, and Colorado has energized the PV marketplace. There’s a great deal of development activity and we’re part of that environment. This trend will continue which can only mean a successful, thriving PV market outside of California. Nevertheless, California will remain the bedrock of PV activity and demand, especially in utility-scale installations. It’s going to be an exciting time, filled with opportunities and challenges such as dealing with individual states, each with its own unique regulatory structure and approach to incentives. Our Enfinity Americas team is flexible and capable enough to handle those demands.” What are the key drivers in the successful completion of Enfinity Canada’s biggest project ‘the 30 MW Stardale installation in East Hawkesbury, Ontario’? Gavin: “It’s all in the details. Getting a design firm with relevant PV system experience involved early, is an important factor. Then we ensure that the design package is not only buildable, but also includes functionality for operating the PV generation plant. Site development - clearing, grading, drainage work, road construction – is critical and performing this work early can avoid problems further down the road. Obviously, having a clear path to interconnection with the local utility company is important, and utility interconnection requirements need to be understood, addressed and resolved very early in the design and engineering process. When it comes to equipment and services procurement, having those supply agreements in place early helps us to move the project along smoothly. We retain contractors that have relevant PV experience so that we can deliver a safe, high >>
enfinity / 29
quality and on-schedule project. All this cannot happen without a high quality project and construction management team, comprising the owner, prime contractor, major contractors and subcontractors. With such a team working together, a solar PV project like Stardale stays on course, overcomes challenges and is completed successfully.”
“The Enfinity model, where we add value at multiple downstream points, sets us apart from the crowd and will help establish Enfinity as a market leader.” How has the structure of PV financing changed since Enfinity first entered North America? Goethals: “We entered this market at the peak of the credit crisis, when there was clearly a dearth of capital ready to invest in Solar PV, especially on the
Rafael Dobrzynski
US tax credit equity side. Since then, the situation has almost reversed itself, with money (debt and equity) now in search of quality projects. After a brief hiatus,
Looking beyond 2011, how will Enfinity fit into the
almost all of the traditional players returned to the
Americas PV market?
market and we are seeing some interesting new
Dobrzynski: “I think we are very well positioned to
entrants as well. Compared to some other geographical
become a key player in the Americas PV market. We
markets, these investors are sophisticated and
have been able to demonstrate an impressive range of
experienced, and know exactly what to look for in
projects and experience in Europe, and that has been
a project, a developer or EPC-contractor. There is a
a valuable asset when we are meeting with potential
strong focus on proven track-record, a robust pipeline
customers here. As we have grown, our Americas
and a healthy balance sheet, all factors that help us to
projects with municipalities, school districts,
further solidify our competitive position here in North
commercial buildings and utilities have shown that
America.”
we can deliver real results in an environment where financing has been hard to find. I think the Enfinity model, where we add value at multiple downstream points such as financing, development, EPC or asset management, sets us apart from the crowd and will help establish Enfinity as a market leader.” What is the key to Enfinity’s continued success in the Americas? Dobrzynski: “Having the right team, making the right connections and then executing with precision.”
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WAAK Metaal & Assemblage 1700 enthousiaste medewerkers, een flexibele organisatie, 45 jaar ervaring en know-how, een integrale aanpak, 80 000 m² productieruimte en vooral meedenken met Enfinity als partner.
WAAK BW vzw
Heirweg 125 BE-8520 Kuurne
Belgium
www.waak.be
We give you a gebruik maken van onze diensten draagt bij tot duurzame tewerkstelling van personen met een arbeidshandicap Enfinity 20 Trino Solar:Enfinity
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Volledig geïntegreerde productiefaciliteiten. Co-engineering op maat. Grote flexibiliteit en efficiëntie. Sterk gestructureerd met oog voor kwaliteit.
Top quality at an attractive price When it comes to sales, Enfinity distinguishes between consumer-oriented activities and commercial/ industrial projects. Although the final objectives are the same - the installation of solar panels and installations to generate electricity - each requires a different approach. Rik Missault is Head of Trade business unit, which focuses on the sale of panels and network distribution for the residential market. Missault: “Those sales take place via authorised dealers and installers. They work almost exclusively for Enfinity, and in Belgium alone we have more than 60 dealers. This makes us the market leader for retail sales in Belgium. These dealers receive the products from Enfinity’s central warehouse. We are also an important player in many other European countries, such as France, Italy and the UK. Every country has its own particular requirements and therefore demands a specific approach. In France, for instance, the panels must be integrated into the roofs, so we adapt the products accordingly. In the UK it is the inverters that Rik Missault - Head of Enfinity Trade
require a technical modification. We have a sales office in each country, which is responsible for both the product management and technical support. For every country, though, reliable delivery of the solar panels and installations is the most important criterion: customers demand stable supply levels and top quality at an attractive price, with optimal technical and marketing support. Our business unit is continuously committed to, and focused on, delivering this promise.”
Adding significant value to Enfinity products through an exceptional warranty Missault: “Our solar panels and inverters come with a 10 year warranty as standard, whereas our competitors don’t go over 5 years. We’re able to offer this warranty because we maintain such strict quality parameters.” >> 32 / enfinity
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Products under private label
Enfinity has the right economy of scale to be able to deliver its products at a highly competitive price. The company is also able to maintain sufficient stock in its own warehouses to meet customer demand. To further strengthen its market position, Enfinity began offering a complete line of private-label products in early 2011. European quality controls are stringent, and that adds extra value to the Enfinity brand name. Enfinity has extensive marketing knowledge and expertise and is therefore able to provide its dealers with effective and timely support.
Product development Enfinity strives towards continuous innovation and quality. This can be seen in the development and launch of new products, such as our own product line of solar panels and inverters. Moreover, we always use the latest technology available.
enfinity / 33
Enfinity solar systems Our own extensive range of high performance monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules is fully accredited under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Enfinity modules come with a 10 year product warranty and a 25 year performance warranty as standard.
www.enfinity.biz
Vallediaccio - Puglia, Italy - 313.92 kWp
A chat with... Francesco Zorgno, Head of Enfinity Italy What are Enfinity Italy’s strengths?
players in our sector. Some of them may change
Zorgno: “We share the passion and energy that you
their core business, some will resize and others will
see throughout Enfinity; we are a young and fast
disappear. This is to be expected in a country where
growing company, and I think our customers and
we had huge growth and plenty of opportunities
partners appreciate that level of enthusiasm. Our
for many players in the PV value chain. Most of
most important strength is certainly our employees -
these players will follow the same strategy as us and
they thrive on working in a changing and competitive
concentrate on rooftops and medium-sized projects
environment. We are an integrated player, so we can
throughout Italy. We will certainly also see a reduction of
handle every phase of a PV project. In Italy not all our
profit margins, and this could cause some problems
competitors can offer such a broad range of services.
for those players less integrated as Enfinity. We are in
We enjoy good name recognition everywhere and
the position to decide where and how much margin
Enfinity Italy is in a much better position than a few
we include in a PV project.”
years ago. We can still select our partners and that is very fortunate.”
How will the new feed-in tariff scheme impact the Enfinity strategy in Italy?
What do you believe will happen in the PV sector in
Zorgno: “In Italy we still have one of the most
the coming months?
attractive feed-in tariff schemes in Europe. There
Zorgno: “In Italy we will see a redefinition of the
were some important changes made in August 2010 >>
36 / enfinity
(the Third Conto Energia) so we started working on a different strategy at the end of last year: more focus on medium-sized projects, and principally rooftops. We are bringing the experience we gained in Northern Europe back to Italy. The latest draft of the legislative decree issued in April of this year (the Fourth Conto Energia) confirmed this trend. So these are the projects that show the highest potential in terms of return, and that can assure a long and profitable future for Enfinity Italy.” Which is the most important characteristic for survival in the new European scenario? Zorgno: “You need to have the flexibility to respond quickly. Integration will certainly also be a key success factor in the coming months and years. This enables us to choose the phase at which we enter a project, as we are able to handle any or all of them.
Francesco Zorgno - Head of Enfinity Italy
Consequently, we can also decide which step will generate our margin. This is very important: nonintegrated companies can face great difficulties reaching their profit objectives in this new scenario.” Enfinity 5 - Chignolo (PV), Italy - 3.3 MWp
enfinity / 37
Bert Bernolet is the director of Solar Without Borders. He says “It’s a fantastic organisation, which together with other Belgian and international charitable organisations works to improve the living conditions in developing nations. I came into contact with Solar Without Borders during college. My school sponsored a project in Togo that involved placing a single solar panel and control system in a small village to provide the hospital with electricity. It was a very small project, but the impact on the entire village community was enormous. I continued to be involved with the foundation, and during my internship at Enfinity I was also able to interest Patrick and Gino in these development activities. In 2008 I decided to focus all
Socially responsible
my energy on Solar Without Borders. Enfinity supported my decision and by that time had become an important sponsor. With the support of Enfinity and other companies, Solar Without Borders has now installed 18 projects in eight countries. The foundation supports these projects by providing the knowledge
Enfinity supports Solar Without Borders
and experience to perform the necessary calculations,
There are nearly a billion and a half people in the
by purchasing and delivering the materials, and by
world without electricity, mainly in central Africa,
arranging the transport and installation of the panels
India and Eastern Asia. Solar Without Borders is a
and control systems. In total, 140 solar panels have
non-profit organisation that intends to help improve
been installed in countries such as Mongolia, Senegal,
this situation. The organisation provides assistance
Kenya, Togo, Benin, Guatemala and Tajikistan. These
in these developing countries for the installation of
solar installations represent a total production
solar panels to establish vital supplies of electricity.
capacity of approximately 14,000 kWh of electricity
The solar energy is primarily intended for community
and have helped improve the living conditions of
purposes, such as hospitals, schools, orphanages and
around 40,000 people.”
community water systems. This is of real importance, as the development of health care facilities is directly
In Togo the work of Solar Without Borders even goes
dependent on a working supply of power.
a step further. “We recently established our own
Hospitals require electricity for light, sterilisation and
production unit for solar panels. The local population has
refrigeration for the storage of medicines. Electricity
been trained to build and install solar panels themselves,
is also essential for schools and water pumps.
and these are sold to the villages in Togo.”
38 / enfinity
Solar sponsorship for sport Enfinity is also active in sponsoring sporting clubs:
Sport is also an integral part of Enfinity’s culture.
in Belgium we are the shirt sponsor of football club
Company employees compete annually for the
Zulte Waregem (where, since early 2011, Patrick
Enfinity Cup – primarily a football competition
Decuyper has been responsible for the daily athletic
developed to strengthen team spirit and serve as an
and commercial management operations of the
enjoyable social event. Traditionally, the Enfinity
Jupiler Pro League team).
Cup day always ends with everyone watching a Zulte Waregem game together.
Zulte Waregem plays at a highly-competitive level and receives a lot of media attention. Through its sponsorship, Enfinity contributes to the growth of the football club. This also allows the company to promote its activities and increase its brand awareness among the public at large and in the corporate world. This also holds true for the
Winner Amstel Gold Race / Liège - Bastogne - Liège / Flèche Wallonne / Flèche Brabançonne - Philippe Gilbert
company’s co-sponsoring of professional cycling team Omega Pharma-Lotto, which is active throughout Europe. Philippe Gilbert, one of the racers in the Omega Pharma-Lotto team, has since won a considerable number of important cycling Spring Classics races (2011).
enfinity / 39
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40 40 / / enfinity enfinity
Send an e-mail to solargadget@enfinity.be and answer this question correctly: “Who’s the Enfinity Group CEO?”
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www.enfinity.biz
adv Enfinity 01 Cegelec:pp
09-05-2011
10:58
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UW PARTNER IN INDUSTRIEEL EN TECHNISCH ONDERHOUD
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CEGELEC FELICITEERT ENFINITY MET HAAR 5-JARIG BESTAAN. Enfinity 22 Montaco:pp
05-05-2011
Analyse- en meetsystemen HVAC installaties ICT installaties
12:24
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Re-inventing the inverter We supply a wide range of inverters to suit all types and sizes of residential PV installations and offer our products at highly competitive prices, with excellent efficiency ratings and a 10 year warranty as standard.
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