Production capacity at DEGERenergie’s tracking system facility in Ontario, Canada is set to double in the first half of 2011. Last year’s output level has already been increased by 50% and the German firm expects to see production rise by a further 50% in the second quarter as it attempts to take advantage of a spate of recently-announced Canadian projects.
Last week, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) awarded feed-in tariff (FiT) contracts to 35 new large-scale projects. These developments, in addition to the 180 FiT contracts handed out in 2010, have seen pressure on manufacturers intensify as demand for tracking systems and other PV equipment grows.
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And in order to match this demand, DEGERenergie has expanded its manufacturing base accordingly, signalling not only its ambition but also its commitment to the industry. “With this step, we are clearly showing our commitment to the renewable energy market,” said Artur Deger, CEO of DEGERenergie. “By increasing our production in Ontario, we enable all solar energy investors and users in Canada to profit from the most efficient systems.”
Since establishing its Canadian operation several years ago, DEGERenergie has quickly established itself as the country’s market leader in tracking systems; in Ontario alone, over 1,200 DEGERenergie trackers are currently in operation and a further 3,000 of its 9000NT and 5000HD are set to be installed in 2011.
This success has seen DEGERenergie form close bonds with regional industry organisations such as the OPA, the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) and the Renewable Energy Facilitation Office (REFO). “The discussions we had with representatives [of the OPA, CanSIA and REFO] as well as with a multitude of investors and market observers confirm our estimation that the market will continue to grow strongly and steadily, irrespective of the current political concerns,” added Deger.