How do you describe the role of Corab S.A. in the national and international photovoltaic market?

Barbara Michalowska: Corab S.A. is a leading manufacturer of photovoltaic mounting systems in Poland and on international markets. The company has been operating in the industry for over 30 years and is one of the main suppliers of photovoltaic components in Poland, as well as an exporter to numerous foreign markets, including countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. Corab specializes in providing advanced technological structures for rooftop and ground-mounted photovoltaic installations, including agri-photovoltaic systems.

What is your position in the company?

I work as the Head of the Agri PV Department at Corab S.A. My tasks include managing projects related to agri-photovoltaics, coordinating activities between departments, and providing technical and strategic advice. I am responsible for the development of the PV market in agriculture and the implementation of modern energy solutions that integrate solar energy production with agricultural activities.

What sets Corab apart from the competition?


Corab S.A. offers a wide range of products related to photovoltaics, from standard mounting systems to advanced agri-photovoltaic-solutions, modules, power storage systems and charging infrastructure. The company also offers training courses for installers at the Corab Academy. What sets us apart is the quality and innovation of our mounting systems, but also the technical and advisory support we provide to our clients. Our products are designed with durability and ease of installation in mind, while also being customized to meet the individual needs of our clients. Additionally, Corab continually invests in research and development, to deliver new advanced solutions to the market.

What is your market focus and what are the advantages of being based in Poland?
Corab S.A. in general focuses on European markets, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, but is also expanding its operations on other continents. Being based in Poland gives us first access to a skilled workforce, second a modern infrastructure, and a good strategic location in the centre of Europe, which facilitates exports to other markets. Poland is also one of the fastest-growing photovoltaic markets in Europe, creating many opportunities for growth.

What developments do you expect in the Polish PV economy in the next 12 months and their impact on the company?

In the next 12 months, I expect continued dynamic growth in the photovoltaic market in Poland, particularly in the industrial and agricultural installation segments. The development of energy storage technologies and increasing environmental awareness among consumers will drive this market. For Corab S.A., this means the opportunity for further expansion and an increase in demand for our innovative solutions, especially in the context of agri-photovoltaics. Additionally, legislative changes related to renewable energy may open new business opportunities.

Interview by Manfred Gorgus





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How does sales in the Polish PV market differ from other markets?

Sales thrive on relationships; people buy from people. This is true in the Polish PV market as in any other market. In Poland in particular, however, price plays a very important role in purchasing decisions. Quality is often forgotten when comparing offers. But photovoltaics in particular are investments in energy systems that are intended to function reliably for decades. If you skimp on quality, you are cutting corners. This is especially true for the substructure, which is ultimately the foundation of every PV system -the secure connection between the roof or building façade and the PV system.

Also interesting: Poland: RWE aims to increase biodiversity at its PV parks

Who are your target groups in the Polish market?

Our target groups are PV wholesalers, installation companies, architects and commercial design offices so-called EPC companies (engineering, procurement, and construction) that build turnkey photovoltaic power plants.

How would you describe your personal role in the market?

As an Area Sales Manager for Poland I’m responsible for the development and better recognition of our company in the subordinate territory. I am in intensive contact with our target groups together with my colleague Bartosz Mosinski from technical sales. Customers tell us time and again that they are happy to always have a direct contact person at K2. Every year we exhibit at three trade fairs for renewable energies in Poland to maximize visibility. The most important trade fair for us is the one for the energy industry and renewable energies “ENEX” in Kielce. It takes place every year in February and marks the start of the annual photovoltaic season. We also regularly hold webinars for the Polish PV market and conduct on-site training courses for customers.

What are the particular challenges in the Polish PV market?

As already mentioned, the communication of quality. By this I don’t just mean the hardware quality, but the understanding of a complete package of coordinated planning software and substructure hardware and the resulting advantages for the user. We present our substructure as a particularly easy-to-install system with which all areas of PV installation can be covered, both during installation and during online-based planning.

What solutions do you offer on the Polish market?

We offer solutions for all types of flat and pitched roofs as well as for open-space systems. We also have car port and facade systems in our range. The only thing we do not have in our portfolio is Agri-PV. For all of our systems we have competitors in the market, including Polish manufacturers who offer PV mounting systems cheaply. We score points with our twenty years of experience, our promise of quality and the combination of sophisticated technology and a high level of planning depth. This brings our customers measurable advantages. Just one example is the significantly lower ballast for flat roof PV systems EAST-WEST when they are implemented with K2 software and our components.

Which tools do your customers in Poland use to plan

With our free B2B planning software “K2-Base”, we have created a low-threshold entry point for interested companies. Anyone can create an account, try it out and convince themselves of the very precise planning. The advantages of our offer are a combination of many components, including sustainable production. It brings customers and users a lot of benefit in the long term but may not be apparent at first glance. It is our job to communicate these connections in a market that is strongly driven by the lowest price.

Where do you see the Polish PV market in 12 months?

This will depend very much on political decisions. In the area of ​​single-family homes, a funding program called “My-Current” has just been adopted. The target group are homeowners who want to supply their buildings with solar power as much as possible. The government recently more than tripled the funding amount from 90 to 290 million euros. However, this amount is available for the period from 2024 to 2027. The application is bureaucratically complex. Whoever submits first is very likely to receive funding. Those who wait will probably miss out. Once the funding has been used up, demand in the residential sector will decline.

What about commercial installations?

This is not the case with commercial and industrial photovoltaic systems in Poland, as these are economical without state funding. Investors and companies also do not like to wait for state funding.The outdated Polish power grid, which is currently slowing down the expansion of economical open-space and commercial systems, is a problem with the expansion. The Polish government has recognized the problem and wants to push ahead with grid expansion. However, this takes time. A quick solution could be the strategic expansion of grid-friendly electricity storage facilities with large capacities to relieve the strain on the grid.

 Interview by Manfred Gorgus





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How does sales in the Polish PV market differ from other markets?

Dariusz Borowiec: Sales thrive on relationships; people buy from people. This is true in the Polish PV market as in any other market. In Poland in particular, however, price plays a very important role in purchasing decisions. Quality is often forgotten when comparing offers. But photovoltaics in particular are investments in energy systems that are intended to function reliably for decades. If you skimp on quality, you are cutting corners. This is especially true for the substructure, which is ultimately the foundation of every PV system -the secure connection between the roof or building façade and the PV system.

Also interesting: Poland: RWE aims to increase biodiversity at its PV parks

Who are your target groups in the Polish market?

Dariusz Borowiec: Our target groups are PV wholesalers, installation companies, architects and commercial design offices so-called EPC companies (engineering, procurement, and construction) that build turnkey photovoltaic power plants.

How would you describe your personal role in the market?

Dariusz Borowiec: As an Area Sales Manager for Poland I’m responsible for the development and better recognition of our company in the subordinate territory. I am in intensive contact with our target groups together with my colleague Bartosz Mosinski from technical sales. Customers tell us time and again that they are happy to always have a direct contact person at K2. Every year we exhibit at three trade fairs for renewable energies in Poland to maximize visibility. The most important trade fair for us is the one for the energy industry and renewable energies “ENEX” in Kielce. It takes place every year in February and marks the start of the annual photovoltaic season. We also regularly hold webinars for the Polish PV market and conduct on-site training courses for customers.

What are the particular challenges in the Polish PV market?

Dariusz Borowiec: As already mentioned, the communication of quality. By this I don’t just mean the hardware quality, but the understanding of a complete package of coordinated planning software and substructure hardware and the resulting advantages for the user. We present our substructure as a particularly easy-to-install system with which all areas of PV installation can be covered, both during installation and during online-based planning.

What solutions do you offer on the Polish market?

We offer solutions for all types of flat and pitched roofs as well as for open-space systems. We also have car port and facade systems in our range. The only thing we do not have in our portfolio is Agri-PV. For all of our systems we have competitors in the market, including Polish manufacturers who offer PV mounting systems cheaply. We score points with our twenty years of experience, our promise of quality and the combination of sophisticated technology and a high level of planning depth. This brings our customers measurable advantages. Just one example is the significantly lower ballast for flat roof PV systems EAST-WEST when they are implemented with K2 software and our components.

Which tools do your customers in Poland use to plan

With our free B2B planning software “K2-Base”, we have created a low-threshold entry point for interested companies. Anyone can create an account, try it out and convince themselves of the very precise planning. The advantages of our offer are a combination of many components, including sustainable production. It brings customers and users a lot of benefit in the long term but may not be apparent at first glance. It is our job to communicate these connections in a market that is strongly driven by the lowest price.

Where do you see the Polish PV market in 12 months?

Dariusz Borowiec: This will depend very much on political decisions. In the area of ​​single-family homes, a funding program called “My-Current” has just been adopted. The target group are homeowners who want to supply their buildings with solar power as much as possible. The government recently more than tripled the funding amount from 90 to 290 million euros. However, this amount is available for the period from 2024 to 2027. The application is bureaucratically complex. Whoever submits first is very likely to receive funding. Those who wait will probably miss out. Once the funding has been used up, demand in the residential sector will decline. This is not the case with commercial and industrial photovoltaic systems in Poland, as these are economical without state funding. Investors and companies also do not like to wait for state funding.The outdated Polish power grid, which is currently slowing down the expansion of economical open-space and commercial systems, is a problem with the expansion. The Polish government has recognized the problem and wants to push ahead with grid expansion. However, this takes time. A quick solution could be the strategic expansion of grid-friendly electricity storage facilities with large capacities to relieve the strain on the grid.

 Manfred Gorgus





Source link


Corab

Barbara Michalowska Agri-PV Manager at CORAB S.A.

How do you describe the role of Corab S.A. in the national and international photovoltaic market?

Barbara Michalowska: Corab S.A. is a leading manufacturer of photovoltaic mounting systems in Poland and on international markets. The company has been operating in the industry for over 30 years and is one of the main suppliers of photovoltaic components in Poland, as well as an exporter to numerous foreign markets, including countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. Corab specializes in providing advanced technological structures for rooftop and ground-mounted photovoltaic installations, including agri-photovoltaic systems.

What is your position in the company?

I work as the Head of the Agri PV Department at Corab S.A. My tasks include managing projects related to agri-photovoltaics, coordinating activities between departments, and providing technical and strategic advice. I am responsible for the development of the PV market in agriculture and the implementation of modern energy solutions that integrate solar energy production with agricultural activities.

What sets Corab apart from the competition?


Corab S.A. offers a wide range of products related to photovoltaics, from standard mounting systems to advanced agri-photovoltaic-solutions, modules, power storage systems and charging infrastructure. The company also offers training courses for installers at the Corab Academy. What sets us apart is the quality and innovation of our mounting systems, but also the technical and advisory support we provide to our clients. Our products are designed with durability and ease of installation in mind, while also being customized to meet the individual needs of our clients. Additionally, Corab continually invests in research and development, to deliver new advanced solutions to the market.

What is your market focus and what are the advantages of being based in Poland?
Corab S.A. in general focuses on European markets, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, but is also expanding its operations on other continents. Being based in Poland gives us first access to a skilled workforce, second a modern infrastructure, and a good strategic location in the centre of Europe, which facilitates exports to other markets. Poland is also one of the fastest-growing photovoltaic markets in Europe, creating many opportunities for growth.

What developments do you expect in the Polish PV economy in the next 12 months and their impact on the company?

In the next 12 months, I expect continued dynamic growth in the photovoltaic market in Poland, particularly in the industrial and agricultural installation segments. The development of energy storage technologies and increasing environmental awareness among consumers will drive this market. For Corab S.A., this means the opportunity for further expansion and an increase in demand for our innovative solutions, especially in the context of agri-photovoltaics. Additionally, legislative changes related to renewable energy may open new business opportunities.

 Interview by Manfred Gorgus





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The circular economy and sustainability are becoming increasingly important in agriculture. This also applies to the transition of farms to photovoltaics. This also includes the dual use of land for additional solar power production. The supplier of such systems Agrosolar Europe has therefore now developed a mounting system whose load-bearing parts do not require any steel at all. They are made exclusively from renewable raw materials.

High load-bearing capacity achieved

Agrosolar Europe developed the lightweight system together with filament manufacturer Fibr. The substructure has been undergoing trials since 2023. This year, Agrosolar Europe is planning to build the first pilot project before the system goes into series production in 2026.

See also: Ohio solar farm to become largest agri-PV project in the US

Materials such as flax, carbon, wood fibre or other renewable raw materials are processed to produce the substructure in such a way that they are particularly strong. The new structures resemble trees rather than buildings and blend in perfectly with the landscape, emphasise the project partners. The spun lightweight construction of the organic material not only achieves a particularly high load-bearing capacity. At the same time, the use of natural materials is reduced by 90 per cent.

Less weight, faster installation

By dispensing with steel, Agrosolar also claims a weight saving of 90 per cent compared to previous constructions. This makes the substructure for agri-PV systems easier and cheaper to assemble, as fewer machines and personnel are required.

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More acceptance for agri-PV

Agrosolar Europ assumes that the use of renewable materials will also further improve public acceptance of agri-PV. “In future, we will be able to manufacture our agri-PV systems from the very materials that are grown under the systems,” emphasises Markus Haastert, Managing Director of Agrosolar Europe. “We are thus bringing value creation back to Germany and minimising dependencies on other markets.”

Also interesting: Apply for the Energy Decentral Innovation Award 2024 by 31 June

Moritz Dörstelmannn, founder and CEO of Fibr, adds: “With our resource-efficient lightweight construction method, extremely long-span, high-load-bearing support structures can be produced. In cooperation with Agrosolar Europe, we can optimally utilise this technology to create sustainable and efficient solutions for agriculture,” he says. (su/mfo)





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