Frost & Sullivan Lauds ASOLA's Robust Growth and Virtual Domination in the Solar Power Market

LONDON, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent research on the solar power market, Frost & Sullivan has presented ASOLA Advanced and Automotive Solar Systems GmbH (ASOLA) with the "2009 World Advanced Mobile Solar Technology Growth Leadership Award." In a fast-growing industry facing challenges of high costs, failing standards and an increasing need for technologies that will enable the mass production of state-of-the-art solar panels to meet the growing and varied photovoltaic (PV) needs of customers, ASOLA stands apart with its year-by-year growth, burgeoned by its superior products, high quality standards, customer-centric approach and multiple successful partnerships.

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"With more than 20 years of experience in solar power, ASOLA's prime field of expertise is automotive solar engineering. This is an area it dominates, as the competition is almost non-existent," says Frost & Sullivan Research Associate Suchismita Das. "For the last three years, ASOLA has experienced a rise of more than 60 percent in its annual revenues."

At the Detroit Motor Show in 2009, Fisker Automotive, Inc. officially presented its new luxury sports car, KARMA, which features an innovative Q-DRIVE, plug-in hybrid technology. The entire roof of KARMA, assembled with PV technology from ASOLA, is the largest, high-performing spherical solar module worldwide.

Solar applications designed and manufactured for the automotive industry impose stricter stipulations and tolerances than other types of solar applications. To meet industry standards, ASOLA must define its technical details regarding optics, curved modules and interconnections. Efforts to meet expectations related to automotive quality assurance, such as ISO/TS 16949, must exceed those required by usual practices and applications in the solar industry. This includes risk assessment techniques and advanced product quality planning, so as to reduce unnecessary hazards.

The production and delivery of ASOLA's modules undergo both in-depth design tests and top-level quality assurance tests at production and just-in-time delivery. ASOLA modules have been recognised by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61215 compliance approval and are authorized by the German technical inspectorate TUV, shown to be in compliance with the Safety Class II standards.

"ASOLA has and will continue to lead as an environment friendly and innovative company offering economic usage of high-quality solar technology," notes Das. "Moreover, it has been promoted as one of the top volume manufacturers in the entire PV industry since it reached the annual output capacity of over 45 MW in 2009."

Apart from offering standardized solar modules, ASOLA also provides custom PV solutions, in which customer demand is satisfied by company expertise. Tailored PV solutions are provided to customers in laminated solar cell forms, or in small series or large modules. For the automotive industry, ASOLA offers a solar sunroof/roof system integrated with solar cells, as well as a sunroof combined with solar modules. ASOLA also prioritizes customer comfort by providing them with the benefits of power use for ventilation while parking, battery charging and pre-air conditioning, thereby reducing consumption of the onboard power supply.

The company has also taken huge strides forward through successful partnership ties and contracts. For instance, it has improved its battery recharging by working in direct co-operation with reputed car manufacturers including Audi, DaimlerChrysler, Volvo, and BMW. Further, Quantum Fuel System Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (Quantum), a partner of ASOLA, has strategically acquired 24.9 percent of ASOLA's shares.

All these factors justify ASOLA's dominance of the automotive solar technology market. In recognition, Frost & Sullivan is proud to present the company with the 2009 World Advanced Mobile Solar Technology Growth Leadership Award. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to a company that has demonstrated excellence in capturing the highest annual compound growth rate for the last three years.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About ASOLA

Established in 2001, by the company's CEO Mr. Reinhard Wecker, ASOLA started working on PV building samples and prototypes at the new Technology and Media Centre in Erfurt, Germany. In 2003, the company started its production of standard modules for outdoor arrays and building roofs. ASOLA started its venture for road vehicles in 2004, by developing large roof systems. Long-term industry experience, technical know-how, strategic measures, research and development, and customer centric approach are some of the key factors which led ASOLA in becoming a reputed name in the solar power industry, serving the advanced mobile solar technology with high-quality solar modules. http://www.asola-power.com

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.awards.frost.com.

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan