AEC and KACO new energy launch inverter production in Saudi Arabia.

The "Shams" inverters from 20 kW to 1 MW conform to Saudi Arabian local content regulations.

Riyadh / Neckarsulm, 21 September 2015 - Under the name "Shams" (Arabic for "sun"), the Advanced Electronics Company (AEC) is manufacturing for the Arabian market a comprehensive range of solar inverters incorporating the technology from the Neckarsulm-based PV pioneer.


As part of a celebratory ceremony, Dr. Ghassan Al-Shibl, CEO of Advanced Electronics Company (AEC), and Ralf Hofmann, Managing Director of KACO new energy GmbH, launched production of the "Shams" joint inverter range on 10th September in Riyadh at the headquarters of AEC. The name comes from the Arabic and means "sun", the technology originates primarily from the renowned inverter manufacturer from Neckarsulm, true to the target specification of 'Made in Germany' quality - worldwide.

The production line was constructed under the instruction of Volker Heuser, COO at KACO new energy, and has a capacity of 2,000 units or 1 GW per year. AEC devices cover the power range from 20 kW to 1 MW and are the first inverters to fulfil the Saudi Arabian specifications for 'local content'. Its design is decorated with the same colour green featured on the kingdom's flag and also symbolises the environmental trend in Saudi Arabia. Due to its complete compliance with the local content regulations, the inverters in the Shams range achieve maximum suitability in terms of "Saudization", the programme for qualification and employment of the domestic population.

The inverters are tested on an in-house photovoltaic system at the AEC facility that was put into operation in November 2013. The system is also used as a test bed for modules, including polysilicon-based modules from domestic manufacturer KACST as well as Yingli Green Energy and thin-film modules from First Solar and Manz AG. "Along the way" AEC will save several hundred barrels of oil per year with an in-house PV system, in other words, thousands of US Dollars. Dr. Ghassan Al-Shibl invites other module manufacturers to test the reliability of their products in the environmental conditions of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

Dr. Ghassan Al-Shibl: "Our efforts reflect the government's objectives to use our regenerative energy sources to create future-proof employment, provide us with a wider economic basis and increase technological standards. Manufacturing and customer service close by mean not just a higher level of service for our customers, but also less stock-keeping, shorter delivery times and lower project costs. With the expertise of KACO new energy, AEC will succeed in becoming a leading manufacturer of PV inverters in the MENA region."

Ralf Hofmann confirmed for KACO new energy GmbH: "We are delighted at the partnership with AEC, a Saudi Arabian leading company in the fields of development, production and servicing of electro-technical products. We can be sure that AEC will deliver to customers PV technology of the highest quality: inverters manufactured precisely in line with the German design to international quality standards. We bring our combined knowledge and decades of experience, and AEC in turn is known for high production levels and technology transfer. Together we will combine research and development in the Saudi Kingdom with excellent service for our customers. The on-site production also represents a crucial market advantage."

About KACO new energy
KACO new energy is amongst the worlds largest manufacturers of solar inverters. With offices in 16 countries, the company offers inverters for every array size from the smallest homes to the largest solar farms of hundreds of Megawatts. KACO new energy is based in Neckarsulm, near Stuttgart, Germany and the production facilities there, in the Americas and Asia have supplied around 7 Gigawatts of inverters since 1999. The company was the first inverter manufacturer to achieve fully carbon-neutral production and is rapidly heading towards power self-sufficiency. KACO new energy also supplies energy storage systems and battery inverters, as well as inverters for PV-Diesel hybrid systems and combined heat and power plants. In 2014, KACO new energy celebrated the centenary of the original company which was one of the first suppliers of inverters in the late 1930s. Read more at www.kaco-newenergy.com

About AEC
AEC, which was established in 1988 as an Offset Program company, has become a recognized regional pioneer in the innovation and development of advanced electronics serving the Military, Telecom and Industrial Sectors. AECs leadership, as one of the premier high technology companies in Saudi Arabia, includes world-class expertise in the fields of modern electronics manufacturing, engineering, system integration, repair & maintenance services, as well as complete solution capabilities at its facilities. AEC provides a gateway to highly specialized services and opportunities, and the company also offers the benefit of easy and rapid access to other regional markets, customers and distribution networks. More at www.aecl.com

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