Regular contributors to PES, Grenzebach are perhaps one of the most recognisable companies in the European sector, if not the world. We’re pleased to welcome Martin Sträb, CSO/CMO of the Grenzebach Group, to the magazine for the first time for a wide-ranging and illuminating discussion.
PES: Let’s begin by taking a look at 2012. What are your thoughts about the coming months with regard to your organisation, and the solar/PV industry in general?
Martin Sträb: As a highly diversified company, machinery and plant for the solar industry are only one of Grenzebach’s numerous business lines. However, the prospects in this business currently don’t look very bright. The entire PV market struggles with huge overcapacity. The recent announcement by the German Federal Government to further and drastically reduce the feed-in compensation still aggravates the situation. Germany, nevertheless, remains the key PV market. I do not expect any market recovery before the end of 2013.
PES: Europe is a major marketplace for you. Where is the continent’s most promising territory for you energy right now?
MS: It is not so easy to answer this question. Northern and Central Europe show a decreasing trend over the medium term both in installation and production engineering. The situation in some southern parts of Europe looks somewhat brighter. Quite spontaneously I would name Italy and Spain as the major regions. Provided the Euro crisis does not strike us much harder, I see these two countries as Europe’s most interesting potentials.
