By Michelle Crawley
A Mullingar-based solar energy company, Let’s Talk Solar, has just signed a €7.5m deal with Germany’s largest solar panel manufacturer, Ritter Solar.
James Gorham, Managing Director of Let’s Talk Solar told Topic that the exclusive five-year deal was signed last week and will involve a new addition to Let’s Talk Solar’s solar panel product which will be developed in the coming weeks.
Ritter Solar is internationally recognised as manufacturer of the highest standard of solar panels worldwide. The company undergoes a rigorous piloting programme with all potential partners before agreeing to exclusively manufacture products for its clients.
They will manufacture Let’s talk Solar’s unique solar-panel using its CPC reflectors and direct flow technology. Mr. Bernt Claus, Director of Ritter Solar said: “As the leading solar panel manufacturer in Germany we aim to partner with companies of similar standards.”
“We have worked with Let’s talk Solar for two years and they are proving to be the fastest-growing energy company in the retro fit market in Ireland and so we are confident that this venture is an ideal fit for our business.”
Speaking of the announcement, Managing Director of Let’s talk Solar, Michael Keane, said, “We view this partnership as a strategic step in the ongoing development of our business.”
“This investment in Ritter Solar will ensure consistent delivery of the highest-possible quality and first-class industry standards that Let’s talk Solar strives for.”
Let’s Talk Solar, set up by James Gorham and Michael Keane in 2012, is Ireland’s first company to provide central heating and hot water from solar energy within one system.
James and Michael met through BNI in 2011 when James was a director for the Westmeath-based business network organisation. In the months that followed, James and Michael worked together to develop pioneering technology giving customers warm water and heat at the touch of a button throughout the year. In the past two years, Let’s Talk Solar has made huge strides, delivering a nationwide service, as well as featuring on RTÉ television, and this year won the ‘Best New Business Award’ from the Gateway Chamber.
The company has grown from strength to strength since its formation, now employing 35 staff at its site in Lough Sheever Corporate Park, and it is speculated that this new multi-million euro deal is likely to create as many as 15 new local jobs at the Mullingar-based headquarters with an official jobs announcement expected to be made in the New Year by the company.
