EQ In Exclusive Conversation With Mr. Ibrahim Kadriinamdar, Regional Sales Manager – Solplanet

Please tell us more about your company, and directors in detail

Solplanet is a brand of AISWEI, which is formerly known as SMA’s Chinese subsidiary and has successfully been manufacturing high-quality and reliable products for renowned brands like SMA and Zeversolar.

Today, AISWEI is a leading R&D and manufacturing company focusing on clean energy. Headquartered in Shanghai, China, with three R&D centres, one manufacturing base, and offices in Asia, Europe, South America, Africa, and Oceania, AISWEI and Solplanet serve customers in many countries and regions across the globe.

With Solplanet, you get innovative solar products that are easy to install, highly reliable, extremely user-friendly and supported by our award-winning customer service. From single-phase inverters for residential use, to three-phase high-performance inverters for commercial and industrial situations, and even EV chargers, Solplanet’s product line contains simple-to-use products that can help to bring more sun into any home or business.

Rico Guo brings a wealth of experience and expertise in international sales strategy and has played a crucial role in expanding Solplanet’s global presence. His leadership has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and commitment to sustainable energy solutions on a global scale.

On the other hand, Huseyin Büyükbektas is a professional in the MENA region, where solar energy is rapidly evolving. As the MENA Sales Director, Huseyin has been spearheading Solplanet’s efforts in this dynamic market, capitalizing on his deep knowledge of the region’s unique opportunities and challenges.

What are your current technology offerings?

Solplanet is committed to offering cutting-edge technology to the industry. With a legacy of well over a decade in the manufacturing segment we developed a broad portfolio of products that arebest fit for the residential commercial and industrial utility segment. We offer a complete range of residential inverters and C&I Inverters. Solplanet inverters are equipped with ShadeSol technology, a crucial feature that optimizes energy generation by addressing shading issues. This feature holds significant importance forresidential, commercial, and industrial (C&I) segments. We take pride in positioning Solplanet inverters as a high-quality solution offered at a competitive and affordable price point. Recognizing the challenges associated with demand and supply, we ensure ready stock availability at our distributor points. The lightweight design and user-friendly installation procedures of Solplanet inverters have garnered immense appreciation and interest from numerous EPC companies. Additionally, our pro version inverters are capable of accommodating high ampere strings and support a 150% DC overload, catering to the unique demands of various regions. Solplanet remains committed to delivering reliable, efficient, and technologically advanced solutions that meet the market’s evolving needs.

What are the plans for the Indian market for this year?

We have developed a value chain by choosing the right distribution partner for India. We are delighted to announce the appointment of Power-n-Sun as our authorized partner for the MENA region. With their support, we aim to achieve remarkable success in the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment. Our ready stock and ongoing discussions regarding significant opportunities demonstrate our commitment to supplying Solplanet inverters. We aim to promote our flagship product Aquarius series 110KW inverter. Excitingly, there are several upcoming projects on the horizon. The positive responses received from EPC companies and developers have been incredibly encouraging, prompting us to expand our presence in all the regions of India. To ensure seamless sales and service operations, we have established a robust network throughout India. We are grateful for the strong partnership that supports our goals and look forward to continued success together.

Tell us more about your professional journey, key learnings, and key message from Yourself

As the Regional Sales Manager at Solplanet, I am responsible for overseeing the MENA and India markets. My expertise lies in developing new markets by establishing business relationships through the appointment of channel partners and the activation of key accounts. With a strong focus on product features and benefits, I aim to leverage my experience to drive business growth for Solplanet in the MENA and Indian regions. Previously, I held the position of Sales Head at SMA, where I successfully managed the Indian market. In addition, I took on the additional responsibility of overseeing the 2GW O&M portfolio for a utility-scale business. My skills extend to sales forecasting and managing large-scale business deals. I am always eager to expand my knowledge, currently focusing on OEM and ODM business practices. Throughout my career, I have successfully launched multiple products to the market, including the Sunny Tripower series by SMA, Zeversolar, and SolidQ50 products.

Achieving success often involves facing challenges and setbacks. Perseverance and resilience are essential traits to overcome obstacles and stay focused on long-term goals.

Building strong relationships and working collaboratively with partners is crucial for personal growth and professional success. Empathy helps in understanding others’ perspectives and building meaningful connections.

I often emphasize the importance of authenticity, staying true to one’s values, and making a positive impact on others and the world. I encourage individuals to embrace their unique qualities, use their talents to contribute positively and create a meaningful legacy.

What is your opinion on the domestic manufacturing of Inverters?

India has been steadily increasing its manufacturing capacity for solar products due to its ambitious renewable energy goals and policies to promote solar energy. Several companies had set up solar manufacturing units in the country, and the government had been actively encouraging domestic production through initiatives like the “Make in India” campaign.

In my opinion, domestic manufacturing or assembling helps us to reduce import costs, promote local employment, and contribute to the growth of the solar manufacturing ecosystem in India. At the same time, we have to consider the quality production and quality checks before the product hits the market.

I am curious to know if these domestic units are maintaining in-house quality checks and testing units as follows:

• Temperature and humidity tests
• Shock and vibration tests
• EMC compliance tests
• Long-term field tests under real-life international grid conditions
• Water/dust resistance testing
• Reliability tests include high-temperature and full loading, long-term salt fog endurance tests,

Solplanet is continuously improving the technologies through our internal R&D centres. We aim to develop products with the best quality components with all the in-house product testing facilities to ensure a reliable product. We will be happy to have strategic partnerships with large conglomerates in India.

Open question, is there something you want to add?

In light of the specific requirements and conditions in India, we advise developers, EPC companies, and stakeholders to consider Solplanet inverters as their preferred choice. Our inverters, featuring ShadeSol technology for optimized energy generation, are well-suited for the unique challenges associated with shading issues in the region. Moreover, the high-quality construction and competitive pricing make Solplanet inverters an attractive option for both residential and C&I projects. With our ready stock availability and efficient after-sales service network, we ensure a seamless experience for our customers in the India region. By choosing Solplanet inverters, stakeholders can benefit from cutting-edge technology, ease of installation, and reliable performance, ultimately contributing to their success in the dynamic renewable energy market of the India region.