Complying to customers requirements; key for solar industry

“Spending more that 10 per cent of our expenditure on research and development, got us 1,300 active patents, and we expect more”
V.V Kamath, Managing Director, Fronius India

V.V Kamath, Managing Director, Fronius India in a discussion with Megha Iyer of EPR talks about delivering sustainable, futuristic and durable products to their customers that can last for more than 20 years.

How was your experience in REI 2019?
Fronius has been participating in REI since the last 3 years and this is one of the exhibitions which we would never miss. Fronius India started its solar energy business in 2014 and since we were establishing our solar solutions in the Indian market, hence; we chose REI as a platform to launch and showcase our new and existing products and solutions. I would say that the experience was good enough for us and we hope that the experience continues to grow towards success. Moreover, I think the market is perfect and is complementing us to attain more in the segment.

How do you view REI as one of the top notch global events?
I would say that REI is one of the biggest solar exhibition in India where the exhibitors are also provided with intense exposure and the companies are able to attract visitors and quality installers , EPC’s by exhibiting their product portfolio. Moreover, this event provides an opportunity to have a straight and comprehensive communication with our consumers. Talking about this event, I think september is the perfect month to have such an exhibition, as the climate is pleasant which further goes well with the location of the exhibition.

What are your expectations, post REI?
We hope that the Indian market will soon be more quality conscious. Right now, people don’t buy solar products that easily like they purchase any other electronic items for their residential or commercial use. I would prefer to witness people shifting towards solar energy and use solar products more often as we Indians expect to have products that are reliable, highly durable and should be of global trusted brand, also of best quality. Moreover, I feel that everyone should think in a more futuristic manner and not stick to any currently available scenario.

What kind of products have you launched recently?
Our services are more into the rooftop solar segment as it our major primary area of interest. We are also catering the semi-commercial sector. We provide solar invertors in the mentioned two segments. Recently, we launched two products for the rooftop segments ‘Gen24’, they are hybrid invertors. These are basically the grid type invertors which can further be upgraded to energy storage solutions by upgrading the existing software. This is why we are talking more about having a customer centric approach in a futuristic way. Our another new product is ‘Tauro Series’ invertors which comes with a capacity of 50 kW and 100 kW designed especially for the commercial and semi-commercial segment and can be utilised in the rooftop segments also. I would say that Gen24 and Tauro series are the much awaited products from Fronius as the industry expects to have such products for higher power plants.

According to you, which is your key product amidst the listed ones in your portfolio?
We produce various invertors for a wide industry, but our key focus will remain towards the rooftop and residential rooftop segment. We have been catering the rooftop segment since the initial days of launch and that is our forte and that’s why we as a market player are known in the industry. We don’t want to indulge more into the bigger mega watt projects, but we would continue to seize a strong position and strengthen our expertise in the residential rooftop segment. We are keen in strengthening our customer base and maintain a healthy and wilful relationship with our customers from the rooftop and residential rooftop segment.

Currently, several companies are providing customised rooftop solar systems. How compatible are your inverters with these customised rooftop solar panels?
The energy markets across the globe are almost similar in nature. But when it comes to customisation, we are planning to shape our present and not our future. We are discussing the products of the future that can sustain long term under changing circumstances. Our invertors can be accompanies with customised products also. Our products are designed after considering the customer’s requirements and the market conditions; before delivering the end product. Hence, I feel our products can be used under any condition and can be complied with customised rooftop solar panels also.

What kind of R and D is required for having designed such highly durable and reliable solar invertors?
We have a team of 4,700 people at Fronius of which 550 engineers are working towards the research and development. Moreover, we spend more that 10 per cent of our expenditure on research and development, because of which we have 1,300 active patents. So, precisely, we are more focused on innovation, futuristic, and customer oriented products and essentially delivering quality products that will sustain for more than 20 years.

With people inclining to solar energy, how do you view India by 2025?
I think by 2025, there will be a good penetration of solar energy in India, especially in the residential market and every household must talk about solar inverters by that time. Moreover, it is clean energy, affordable, durable, and easy to install; even the plant life is long. I feel the future of solar energy in India is bright provided they understand what they are installing or owning; this is the key. People install a solar plant and if it doesn’t give result in its initial years, people lose their interest and give up easily which is wrong. Solar works and yields results in time; we feel that such mentality will change in the near future.