While there’s no doubt that module prices have declined in recent years, business is booming for innovative suppliers elsewhere in the PV marketplace. We spoke to Michael Jurchen, founder and CEO of the hugely successful (and highly resourceful) Jurchen Technology GmbH.
PES: Welcome to PES. Would you like to introduce your company and explain a little about how you serve the solar/PV sector?
Michael Jurchen: Jurchen Technology GmbH was founded in 2008 and has its headquarters in Helmstadt , near Würzburg in central Germany. The company enjoyed very strong growth in its first years of existence and through the acquisition of other companies and the establishment of subsidiaries, the company has grown to now currently employ in the region of 450 employees. We are the only manufacturer on the market that is in a position to be able to offer the substructure and DC cabling from one single source. In addition to being able to provide top-quality products and components, we also offer the necessary know-how transfer from the very beginning of a project right through to the acceptance of the final structure.
PES: Just how competitive is your corner of the market? Would it be fair to say that it’s an area that’s set to grow still further?
MJ: As a result of the reduction in price for solar modules, costs for the substructure are increasingly becoming the focus for those constructing power stations. This means that any provider who is in the position to be able to get clever solutions onto the market can continue to remain competitive.
While the construction of additional photovoltaic plants and facilities is currently stagnating in Germany, when looked at from a global perspective, an increase in construction activities on the whole can be recognised. This means that future growth, when looked at from a global perspective, can be assumed.
