In the second half of 2020, the manufacturer of photovoltaic structures SolarGroup was chosen for the third consecutive time as the preferred brand of integrators, according to a survey carried out by greener, a company specialized in market research.
Learn more: Solar Group starts 2021 with growth, prize and ambitious plans
According to Pablo Larrieux, marketing director at Solar Group, this achievement is due to the company's priority of maintaining a close relationship with the integrator. “Solar Group is a company that has been building a history of success and growth. It is very gratifying to be able to join a winning team and to be able to contribute to this trajectory,” he said.
In an interview with Canal Solar, Larrieux commented on the solutions offered by the company and analyzed the Brazilian photovoltaic market.
Canal Solar: Solar Group is a brand recognized by integrators as synonymous with quality and respect for the customer. How did Solar Group achieve this recognition?
Pablo Larrieux: Proximity to the integrator is a priority for Solar Group. Listening to our customers and understanding their needs is essential to the success of a brand and we take this very seriously.
The main channel is our commercial team, made up of engineers who discuss and advise customers regarding different installation difficulties. This information reaches our R&D team, which constantly evaluates different situations in the field to develop improvements and innovations.
The customer realizes this and recognizes it through research, such as the Distributed Generation Survey of the 2nd half of 2020, carried out by Greener and the Brands of Excellence in Photovoltaic Products Survey, carried out by Revista FotoVolt, which placed Solar Group as the brand number 1 preferred by integrators.
You talked a lot about service. Does the fact that the company is 100% focused on photovoltaic solar energy help to form teams with this difference at Solar Group?
When you have focus, there are no doubts regarding priorities. When a company has several lines of business it needs to divide investments and energy between them all. Not here, at Solar Group. The energy is 100% dedicated to the photovoltaic generator structures market.
Investments in research, the technical profile in hiring teams, in short, all resources converge towards photovoltaic solar energy. The company and customers gain a lot from all of this. Service provided by someone who understands and knows the solar market makes all the difference.
How does the engineering and research process influence the company's final product?
Solar Group is very close to integrators, mainly through digital channels. We listen to the real problems and suggestions that come from the field and, based on them, our research area creates the necessary products to solve problems and simplify installations.
What is your assessment of the solar sector in Brazil? What examples from other countries could we follow?
The potential of the Solar sector in Brazil is enormous. Much has already been done, but solar energy represents only 1,8% of our energy matrix. If we compare Brazil with Germany where solar energy has a penetration of 12,4%, or Australia with a penetration of more than 10%, the great growth potential of the sector in the country is evident.
What new features have Solar Group launched this year? What are the plans for 2021?
Solar Group carried out an important launch at the end of last year: the new Smart line, a line that is easy to attach, with simplicity and quality. At the beginning of this year, we have been working with customers on the advantages of this new line.
This year, we will continue to invest in new ways to create a unique value proposition for our customers, bringing the best structural solutions for photovoltaic systems on the market to continue growing. And, of course, continue to earn the trust and recognition of integrators.
How is Solar Group preparing for the increase in demand projected in the next semester in Brazil?
We are very close to our customers, understanding each of their demands, and working internally from now on to ensure that all inputs and processes are ready to serve them at the right time.
