WIRSOL Develops Photovoltaic Presence In China
A German solar project developer has opened in China in
the form of WIRSOL. In cooperation with Suntech, the world's largest module
manufacturer, large solar power stations are planned for the Qinghai province.
This was announced at the opening ceremony for WIRSOL SOLAR Technology
(Beijing) Ltd. by Suntechs CEO, Dr. Zhengrong Shi, and WIRSOL's Managing
Director Stefan Riel:
"Wirsol is not just a pioneer among project
developers, but also a close partner of Suntech. The Chinese market is growing
faster than previously expected and through this a host of opportunities for
European companies is opening up, especially in the fields of planning,
engineering and operations where German companies lead the way. We strongly
support open markets everywhere under the sun. Facilitating involvement by
European companies here will also help China to efficiently reach its targets
for renewable energy deployment," says Dr. Zhengrong Shi, the Founder and
CEO of Suntech.
In the photovoltaic sector, the Chinese market also
offers a state guaranteed feed-in tariff of currently 12 cents/kWh (€), which
makes it interesting mainly for experienced project developers of large solar
parks.
The opening of the Chinese market not only has a strong
signal character but also the potential to show the world the possibility of a
global energy change. "China will increasingly rely on photovoltaics in
the coming years", said Prof. Li Junfeng, General Director of the National
Centre of Climate Change Strategy Research (NCCS) and President of the Chinese
Renewable Industries Association (CREIA). Prof. Junfeng also emphasised that
global cooperation would be the key for the further development of the solar
industry.
WIRSOL has been working together with Yingli and Suntech,
the leading Chinese producers of solar modules, for years. Stefan Riel,
WIRSOL's Managing Director, emphasised that both manufacturers were only able
to secure market leadership status with top products. Together with Liansheng
Miao, the Chairman of the Management Board at Yingli, Riel energetically spoke
out on this occasion against the importation of protective tariffs and how it
is currently being promoted in the United States: "We at WIRSOL do believe that
this is the completely wrong approach", he explained, "as
globalization cannot only go into one direction. Without cheap and high-quality
modules from China, most of the jobs in Europe and the US simply would not
exist. That's a matter of fact!"
The highlight of the opening ceremony was the appearance
made by one of the highest spiritual dignitaries of the country, his Holiness Shi Yongxin, from the abbot of
the legendary Shaolin Temple of Henan, sanctified WIRSOL SOLAR Technology
(Beijing) Ltd.'s premises in the presence of friends and representatives from
the cultural, political and economic sectors. "May the light of Buddha
shine on WIRSOL's fields", declared the abbot.
Alongside He Jifeng from the All Chinese Friendship
Society, the guests also included the former Ambassadors Yang Chengxu, Hu
Benyao and Wang Yanyi. The German General Consulate sent a highly-ranked
representative in the form of Dr. Peter Kreutzberger. The Head of the Economic
Service and the Speaker for the Environment, Energy and Climate honoured
WIRSOL's dedication in his speech and said the company was heading towards a
bright future.
By moving to China, WIRSOL is not just emphasising the
close cooperation with its Chinese partners, but is also demonstrating a strong
commitment to the Middle Kingdom. WIRSOL's founder member of the Management
Board, Stefan Riel, relocated his place of residence as the first top manager
of the German solar industry to Beijing. He now lives with his wife and son in
the Chinese capital, where they are expecting their second child in a few
weeks. Riel says, "We are happy here and have built a strong team. We now
look forward to a new quality of cooperation with our Chinese partners."
